Giants Sign Quintin Demps
1:08pm: The team has officially announced the transaction.
8:20am: The Giants have agreed to sign free safety and return specialist Quintin Demps. Demps tweeted the news himself late Saturday night, and the signing has since been confirmed by multiple sources. Demps provides New York with the quality return skills they were seeking from Jacoby Jones and Ted Ginn, Jr. before those players signed elsewhere.
Demps returned 33 kickoffs for 992 yards last season, and he also performed well in the defensive backfield. He saw the field a great deal in the Chiefs’ subpackages, and he tallied a career-high four interceptions. His presence will add quality depth to the Giants’ secondary, who have concerns about Will Hill and Stevie Brown.
As for the Chiefs, the team will now have to replace their top kick returner and their top punt returner following the departures of Demps and Dexter McCluster. Husain Abdullah and 2013 fifth-round pick Sanders Commings will get the first crack to take Demps’ place at safety, though Kansas City could of course address the position via free agency–where the number of safeties available has rapidly diminished–or the draft.
Broncos Expected To Sign Emmanuel Sanders
SUNDAY, 10:48am: The Broncos intend to proceed with the Sanders deal, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Mike Klis of the Denver Post tweeted that Sanders will take his physical at Dove Valley this morning and is expected to sign a three-year deal.
SUNDAY, 9:08am: In an interesting twist to the Sanders saga, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport writes that Sanders’ agent, Steve Weinberg, had originally accepted a deal with the Chiefs on his client’s behalf. However, Weinberg then shopped Kansas City’s offer to Tampa Bay without telling the Buccaneers that the offer had already been accepted. Ultimately, of course, Sanders agreed to sign with Denver.
Weinberg declined to comment, but there will undoubtedly be more fallout from this development in the coming days. For instance, Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star wonders (via Twitter) who the Chiefs might have missed out on because they thought they had Sanders locked up. Paylor notes that Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell both signed with New England on Saturday.
SATURDAY, 8:34pm: A source has confirmed to FOX Sports 1 that the Broncos agreed to contract terms with Sanders, Alex Marvez reports (via Twitter).
SATURDAY, 8:18pm: After losing Eric Decker to the Jets in free agency, the Broncos are expected to fill the void by signing former Steelers receiver Emmanuel Sanders, league sources tell ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The ESPN article notes that Sanders is looking for a contract similar to the one Golden Tate signed with the Lions (five years, $31.5MM, $13.25MM guaranteed).
Denver has been the biggest newsmaker in free agency thus far, with high-profile signings of Aqib Talib, DeMarcus Ware and T.J. Ward. Now it seems that general manager John Elway is setting his sights on the offense, and Sanders brings a skill set that figures to be well-utilized by Peyton Manning. The fourth-year receiver from Southern Methodist set career highs in receptions (67), yards (740) and touchdowns (six) in 2013 with the Steelers, starting 11 games.
Sanders’ name had been associated with a multitude of teams since free agency began. Schefter reported that the 49ers were to host Sanders today after being hosted by the Chiefs yesterday. Before that, he’d been linked to or visited with the Jets, Jaguars, Buccaneers, Ravens and Browns.
The Broncos appear to have just under $12MM in cap room before the Sanders signing, according to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap.
AFC Contract Details: Jones, Smith, Davis
Jacoby Jones has re-signed with the Ravens, on a modest four-year deal worth up to $12MM, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). The deal includes a $3.5MM signing bonus, with no other money guaranteed.
Here are more details on contracts signed for players by AFC teams this week:
- Details on Steve Smith‘s deal with the Ravens were released earlier, but Wilson adds that his base salary for 2014 will only be $1MM, and will increase to $3MM for 2015 and 2016 (via Twitter).
- While Vontae Davis‘ contract with the Colts was originally reported as including $20MM guaranteed, according to OverTheCap.com only $15MM is fully guaranteed, with an additional $5MM partially guaranteed.
- Jason Babin‘s contract with the Jaguars will be a three-year deal worth $8.275MM, reports Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports (via Twitter). The contract is very incentive based (via Twitter).
- Brandon Ghee signed a two-year deal with the Chargers, worth $1.65MM, reports Wilson (via Twitter). The deal includes a $230,000 signing bonus.
- Richard Marshall‘s deal to re-sign with the Chargers is a one-year deal worth $855,000, reports Pelissero (via Twitter). The deal contains no guaranteed money.
- Husain Abdullah‘s new deal with the Chiefs contains a $750,000 signing bonus, according to Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter).
Chiefs Sign Vance Walker
Vance Walker and the Chiefs have come to terms on a three-year deal to bring the defensive tackle to Kansas City, reports Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter). According to Paylor, it’s worth $13MM, including $3.75MM in guaranteed money.
Walker, 26, started 15 games for the Raiders last season, recording 40 tackles and three sacks for the club. Oakland reportedly extended a contract offer to Walker before the free agent period opened, but the Georgia Tech product was interested in the rare opportunity to test the market as an unrestricted free agent.
A report this morning erroneously suggested that Walker had already reached a deal with the Chiefs, but at that point no deal was in place. Had Kansas City failed to lock up Walker, he was set to visit the Seahawks on Sunday.
FA Rumors: Weeden, Browner, DRC, Clark
Count the Cowboys among the teams with interest in Brandon Weeden following the signal-caller’s release from the Browns, writes Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. According to Archer, even though the Cowboys believe Kyle Orton will return next season to back up Tony Romo rather than opting to retire, the team could carry three quarterbacks on its 53-man roster. Here’s more on a few free agents who either remain on the market or recently agreed to deals:
- Albert Breer and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network hear from Redskins sources that Brandon Browner hadn’t arrived at Redskins Park for his free agent visit as of close of business today (Twitter link). Meanwhile, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (Twitter link) hears that Browner remains in New England, attempting to hammer out a deal with the Patriots. We recapped the odd back-and-forth developments in the Browner story in an earlier post.
- Following Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie‘s visit with the Jets, the cornerback will meet with the Giants, assuming he doesn’t yet have a deal in place, reports Conor Orr of The Star-Ledger.
- The Panthers have showed interest in free agent safety Ryan Clark, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter).
- Wide receiver Steve Smith said on a conference call today that before he agreed to sign with the Ravens, the Chargers made him an offer and the Redskins and Seahawks also expressed interest (Twitter link via Joseph Person).
- B.J. Raji received interest from the Raiders and Chiefs before he agreed to re-sign with the Packers, tweets Ian Rapoport. I imagine it’s no coincidence that the general managers in both Oakland and Kansas City have roots in Green Bay.
FA Rumors: Vikings, 49ers, DRC, Cowboys
Vikings GM Rick Spielman spoke to reporters on a conference call today, and indicated that his team is “not by any means finished” in free agency, and will continue to be aggressive in exploring potential upgrades (Twitter links via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press). According to Spielman, the Vikings still have interest in free agents Charlie Johnson and Kevin Williams, and have spoken to Williams’ agent recently (Twitter links via Tomasson).
Here are plenty more afternoon free agent rumors from around the NFL:
- After meeting with the Chiefs today, Emmanuel Sanders‘ next visit will be with the 49ers, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The free agent wide receiver, who has also visited the Jaguars and Buccaneers this week, will be staying in Kansas City overnight, so the Chiefs still have a chance to lock him up before he reaches San Francisco, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
- Ian Rapoport of NFL.com gets the sense that Julian Edelman‘s visit with the 49ers is more a feeling out process for both sides than an indication anything is imminent (Twitter link).
- Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is heading to New York tonight to meet with the Jets, reports Schefter (via Twitter).
- The Seahawks have expressed interest in bringing back wide receiver Sidney Rice, who was released by the club earlier in the offseason, writes Jayson Jenks of the Seattle Times.
- In addition to having some interest in Julius Peppers, as we heard earlier, the Cowboys are keeping an eye on Jared Allen and would be interested if his price falls, writes Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- Free agent tight ends Jermichael Finley and Ed Dickson don’t appear to be in the Giants‘ plans for now, says Jordan Raanan of NJ.com (via Twitter).
- Free agent guard Daryn Colledge met with the Rams today, and is now off to meet with the Raiders, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
- The Bengals have confirmed that two offensive linemen, Vlad Ducasse and Uche Nwaneri, both visited the team today, tweets Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
No Agreement For Vance Walker, Chiefs
9:54am: Dougherty has now checked back in, admitting that he misinterpreted a text and that there’s no deal between Walker and the Chiefs (Twitter link).
9:16am: Agent Chad Speck has directly responded to Dougherty’s initial report, via Twitter, calling it “completely false” and adding that Walker has a visit lined up with the Seahawks on Sunday.
8:57am: A pair of Chiefs beat writers, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star and Adam Teicher of ESPN, suggest nothing is finalized between Walker and the team, though both reporters say it still could happen (Twitter links). ESPN’s Adam Caplan also tweets that Walker hasn’t signed anything and still has several visits lined up.
We’ve seen this happen with a few signings this week, and in almost every case, a deal has eventually been completed. Still, it’s worth reiterating that even if an apparent agreement has been reached, nothing is official until a player signs on the dotted line, and it sounds like there are still plenty of details to finalize here before the Chiefs lock up Walker.
8:21am: After visiting with him yesterday, the Chiefs are set to sign defensive tackle Vance Walker to a contract, a source tells Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Post-Gazette (Twitter link). The Packers had been trying to set up a visit for Walker, but he’ll be headed to Kansas City for 2014 instead.
Walker, 26, started 15 games for the Raiders last season, recording 40 tackles and three sacks for the club. Oakland reportedly extended a contract offer to Walker before the free agent period opened, but the Georgia Tech product was interested in the rare opportunity to test the market as an unrestricted free agent.
FA Rumors: Rice, Sanders, Thurmond, Melton
The latest free agent rumors..
- The 49ers will host Julian Edelman on Friday, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN (on Twitter). The club is also interested in Hakeem Nicks.
- Jermichael Finley left his meeting with the Seahawks without a contract, sources tell Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (on Twitter).
- The Seahawks are now interested in re-signing Sidney Rice, who was a salary cap casualty earlier in the offseason, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
- The Jets still have interest in Emmanuel Sanders, but they had to reschedule his visit due to conflicts, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. He’ll pay the Chiefs a visit tomorrow, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweets. The Ravens have yet to get involved, Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun tweets.
- Cornerback Walter Thurmond told his fans via Twitter that he had a great meeting with the Jaguars and noted that the club is “headed in the right direction.” Thurmond’s next stop is San Francisco.
- Henry Melton plans to spend the rest of the evening in Minnesota with the Vikings, tweets Ben Goessling of ESPN.
- Ryan Clark tweeted to Richard Sherman to let him know his visit with the Redskins went well. Now he says that “the money guys have to work.”
- The Panthers aren’t showing interest in Hakeem Nicks yet, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. It should be noted that this report came out before Carolina officially said goodbye to Steve Smith. Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer reported this evening that the Panthers indeed have interest.
- Jets free agent guard Vlad Ducasse will visit the Bengals before coming to the Vikings, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN (on Twitter).
- The Cardinals are still negotiating with Ben Dogra, the agent for Antonio Cromartie, tweets Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic. This one isn’t as easy as some other deals, Somers adds.
- The Steelers are bringing Chargers free agent nose tackle Cam Thomas for a visit on Friday, tweets Alan Robinson, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. If he’s put in the middle, San Diego can move Steve McLendon over to defensive end.
Brandon Pettigrew Nearing Deal
5:04pm: Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter) adds the Chiefs to the list of teams in the mix for Pettigrew, which means there appear to be four teams still in the running.
11:41am: Free agent tight end Brandon Pettigrew is expected to have a contract agreement in place shortly, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. According to Mehta, Pettigrew is contemplating interest from the Jets, Raiders, and Lions.
Pettigrew, who had 71 receptions in 2010 and 83 in 2011, is perhaps the top tight end on the unrestricted free agent market, with Dennis Pitta having re-signed with the Ravens and Jimmy Graham designated as the Saints’ franchise player.
Yesterday, we heard that there were five teams in the mix for Pettigrew. In addition to the three clubs mentioned above, the Texans and Giants were named as suitors, but Houston has since agreed to re-sign Garrett Graham, and it seems the Giants have dropped out of contention.
FA Rumors: Melton, Walker, Cromartie
Unrestricted free agent defensive tackle Henry Melton, who is visiting with the Vikings on Thursday, is the center of a lawsuit from a bar altercation where he is alleged to have bitten the restaurant owner, writes Master Tesfatsion of the Star-Tribune. That could be a sticking point for the Vikings, who dealt with four player arrests in 2013. The latest free agent rumors from around the NFL…
- Vance Walker is visiting with the Chiefs today, tweets Josina Anderson of ESPN. The defensive tackle also has a visit lined up with the Packers, tweets Rob Demovsky of ESPN.
- Former Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie is visiting with the Cardinals today, a source tells Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (on Twitter).
- Quarterback Shaun Hill could still return to the Lions, a source tells Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. The Buccaneers seemed like a real option for Hill until they inked Josh McCown this week.
- Akeem Jordan‘s visit with the Titans has been moved up from Monday to Friday, says Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, adding that the Redskins would like to bring in the linebacker for a visit if he doesn’t sign with Tennessee (Twitter links).
- Tight end Owen Daniels is set to visit with the Redskins, a source tells ESPN’s Adam Caplan (on Twitter).
- Return specialist Ted Ginn is visiting the Cardinals, tweets P. Schrager of FOXSports.com.