DeMarcus Ware Visited Rams
DeMarcus Ware‘s retirement after 12 NFL seasons came despite multiple teams offering the revered pass-rusher more than $7MM per year. NFL.com’s Jane Slater reported the Broncos and Cowboys didn’t reach the numbers stage in their respective talks with Ware, and Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter) shed some light on another team that’s looking for pass-rushing help.
The Rams hosted Ware on a visit, per Pelissero. Other than the Broncos and Cowboys, a Ware-to-Los Angeles scenario made the most sense due to Wade Phillips‘ presence with the team. Phillips coached in Dallas and Denver, overseeing the edge defender’s work for six seasons. Three of Ware’s four first-team All-Pro appearances came under Phillips’ guidance.
Ware also delivered as a member of the Broncos, and Phillips joined up during Ware’s second Denver season. He registered 45 sacks during his three-season All-Pro run under Phillips in Dallas and added 11.5 in his final two Broncos seasons. Ware, though, came up big in both the 2015 AFC title game and Super Bowl 50 despite missing five games due to a back injury that season. Denver’s then-right outside linebacker hit Tom Brady seven times in the Broncos’ narrow AFC title conquest and sacked Cam Newton twice two weeks later.
The Rams are converting to a base 3-4 defense under Phillips and recently traded William Hayes to the Dolphins. The team doesn’t house a slew of edge-rushing depth behind Robert Quinn, though, despite employing interior-defending dynamo Aaron Donald and quality complement Michael Brockers.
Rams Pushing To Sign CB Kayvon Webster
The Rams will meet with free agent cornerback Kayvon Webster on Sunday, and Los Angeles is making a push to sign the 26-year-old, tweets Troy Renck of Denver7.
Webster entered the NFL as Denver’s third-round pick in 2013 and produced 59 tackles during his first two seasons. Phillips then came aboard in 2015, and Webster’s playing time dwindled during the coordinator’s two seasons at the helm of an excellent Broncos defense. Stuck behind Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby, among others, Webster played a meager 58 defensive snaps in 13 games last year. He saw far more action on special teams, where he participated in 253 snaps.
Despite Webster’s limited track record as a defender, teammates in Denver believe he’s capable of starting, notes Renck. At the very least, he’d find more playing time in Los Angeles. The Rams have a couple quality corners in the franchise-tagged Trumaine Johnson and slot man Lamarcus Joyner, though the former is a prime trade candidate. Even with those two in the fold, LA finished 2016 just 20th in the league in DVOA against the pass.
The Eagles and Dolphins have also shown interest in Webster this week.
Kayvon Webster To Visit Rams
Newly minted Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips might reunite in Los Angeles with one of his former Denver cornerbacks. Phillips’ Rams have interest in free agent Kayvon Webster and will visit with him, according to Troy Renck of Denver7 (Twitter links). The Eagles and Dolphins have also eyed the 26-year-old this week.
Webster entered the NFL as Denver’s third-round pick in 2013 and produced 59 tackles during his first two seasons. Phillips then came aboard in 2015, and Webster’s playing time dwindled during the coordinator’s two seasons at the helm of an excellent Broncos defense. Stuck behind Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby, among others, Webster played a meager 58 defensive snaps in 13 games last year. He saw far more action on special teams, where he participated in 253 snaps.
Despite Webster’s limited track record as a defender, teammates in Denver believe he’s capable of starting, notes Renck. At the very least, he’d find more playing time in Los Angeles. The Rams have a couple quality corners in the franchise-tagged Trumaine Johnson and slot man Lamarcus Joyner, though the former is a prime trade candidate. Even with those two in the fold, LA finished 2016 just 20th in the league in DVOA against the pass.
Extra Points: Lang, Jones, Jeffery, Cyprien
Some assorted notes from around the NFL…
- Free agent guard T.J. Lang will not be visiting the Broncos following the team’s signing of lineman Ronald Leary, tweets Mike Kliss of 9News. The second-best free agent interior lineman still has plenty of suitors, as he’s set to meet with the Lions and Seahawks. The Packers, his former team, also have interest.
- Had the Cardinals not extended Chandler Jones, the pass rusher would have eaten up over $14MM of spending space as their franchise player in 2017. He’ll instead take up around $10MM of cap room in 2017, tweets Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic.
- Alshon Jeffery‘s one-year, $14MM deal with the Eagles is the largest non-franchise tag one-year pact in NFL history, according to the NFL Media Research Group (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com). Jeffery’s pact eclipsed Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s one-year, $12MM deal with the Jets.
- The Jaguars didn’t make a contract offer to strong safety Jonathan Cyprien, Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union tweets. After spending four seasons in Jacksonville, the 26-year-old joined the Titans on a four-year, $25MM contract.
- The Rams‘ release of defensive end Eugene Sims came with a failed physical designation, Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch tweets. The 31-year-old was let go by the team early this morning.
- Akeem Spence said the Buccaneers expressed interest in bringing him back next season, but the defensive tackle needs a “fresh start,” tweets ESPN’s Michael Rothstein. Spence ultimately inked a three-year, $10.5MM deal with the Lions.
- Rudy Ford ran a 4.25 at today’s Auburn Pro Day, tweets agent Blake Baratz. The safety was told earlier this week that he wasn’t healthy enough to participate at the combine. Baratz declares Ford “the most underrated prospect in the draft.”
Rams Officially Cut Tre Mason and Trey Watts
The Rams have officially cut running backs Tre Mason and Trey Watts, via the NFL transaction wire.
Mason didn’t play at all last season as he dealt with an array of personal issues. The Rams placed the running back on the reserve/did not report list after he failed to show up to an August meeting, and subsequent reports indicated that he hadn’t contacted the organization in months.
Last March, Mason was arrested for reckless driving, resisting arrest, and possession of cannabis, and he was “admitted for evaluation” in July following an incident at his mother’s house. Former coach Jeff Fisher had expressed concern for his well-being, while tackle Greg Robinson said the player changed his phone number.
The 2014 third-round pick appeared in 25 games for the Rams (12 starts) during his first two seasons in the league. He collected 972 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 254 carries, and he added another 34 receptions for 236 yards and one score.
Meanwhile, Watts was suspended indefinitely in November after once again violating the league’s policy on substances of abuse. The former undrafted free agent ultimately played in 15 games with the Rams, compiling 48 all-purpose yards.
Following the move, the Rams now have a trio of running backs on their roster in Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, and Aaron Green.
Latest On Rams, Trumaine Johnson
This week, Dwayne Allen was traded from to the Colts to the Patriots and Houston unloaded Brock Osweiler‘s contract in a unique trade with the Browns. At the same time, the football world continues to buzz about a potential Brandin Cooks deal that could send the Saints wide receiver to the Patriots – perhaps with cornerback Malcolm Butler involved – or the Titans. Between all of that and the mountain of free agency news, you might have forgotten about rumors of the Rams discussing cornerback Trumaine Johnson with rival clubs. 
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Johnson could still be on the move, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The Rams are still speaking with “multiple teams” about a deal.
So far, the Browns are the only specific team that has been linked to the standout corner. Johnson, who is signed to a franchise tender for a second consecutive season, would mark a major upgrade to the secondary for any club. With A.J. Bouye off the board, Johnson is unquestionably better than any cornerback remaining on the open market.
The Rams were expected to kickstart extension talks with Johnson sooner rather than later in order to try and smooth out his cap hit for the coming season. Instead, they could unload his pending one-year salary in a trade and get some draft compensation in return. Trade buzz usually fizzles in the NFL, but things are different now that so many clubs have extra cap space to work with.
Dolphins Acquire William Hayes From Rams
Trades, apparently, are all the rage in the NFL now. Early Friday morning, the Rams and Dolphins agreed on a trade that will send defensive end William Hayes and a seventh-round pick (No. 223 overall) to Miami. In exchange, the Dolphins will send back their sixth-round selection (No. 206). 
[RELATED: Rams Cut Eugene Sims, Lance Kendricks]
“Will has been an integral member of our defense since he became a Ram in 2012,” said Rams GM Les Snead in a statement. “His passion set the tone for our defense and served as an example for his teammates. Off the field, he showed compassion as he was a major contributor to the St. Louis and Los Angeles communities, working to improve the plight of the homeless. We wish Will and his family the best of luck in all of his future endeavors.”
The move clears a bit of room for the Rams but it’s likely that this was driven by football reasons. Hayes’ three year, $17.5MM contract signed last year is looking extremely reasonable as lesser pass rushers get showered with money this offseason. Ultimately, the team probably felt that Hayes wasn’t a good fit as they transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense under new coordinator Wade Phillips.
Hayes’ deal called for him collect on a $2MM roster bonus on Saturday while $1MM of his $3.5MM base salary also becomes guaranteed, Tom Pelissero of USA Today tweets. The Dolphins are happy to pay out that salary as they add a tremendous defensive end to back up starters Cameron Wake and Andre Branch. The Dolphins run a 4-3 scheme and Hayes should thrive under new DC Matt Burke.
Hayes, 32 this spring, appeared in 14 games (all starts) for the Rams last season and racked up five sacks and 43 total tackles. Since joining the Rams in 2012, he has never had less than four sacks per season and has averaged five sacks per campaign. Pro Football Focus has always been fond of his work in St. Louis/Los Angeles and last year he received a 83.4 overall score. That placed him as the No. 17 edge defender in the NFL (thanks largely to his favorable run defense grade) and put him ahead of big names like Nick Perry (who just signed a monster deal with the Packers), Bruce Irvin, Ryan Kerrigan, and Tamba Hali.
Rams Cut Lance Kendricks, Eugene Sims
The Rams announced they are cutting tight end Lance Kendricks and defensive end Eugene Sims. In total, the Rams have purged four players in a 24 hour span, including their surprising trade of William Hayes to the Dolphins.
[RELATED: Rams Trade William Hayes To Dolphins]
Sims, 31 later this month, appeared in all 16 games for the Rams last season and made eight starts. He had 25 total tackles and 2.5 sacks on the year. From 2012-2016, Sims amassed 12 total sacks. For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus has never been high on his play and last year he was given a dreadful score 48.2 overall score by their advanced metrics.
Kendricks was in the midst of a contract that was supposed to pay him $18.5MM over four years. Instead, the Rams are getting out of the deal two years early. Kendricks had a career-high 50 receptions last year for 499 yards and two scores, but the new regime didn’t feel he was worth keeping. The 29-year-old might not be out of work for long.
Contract Details: Jackson, Whitworth, Hyde
Let’s take a look at details of some recent free agent contracts:
- Wide receiver DeSean Jackson‘s deal with the Buccaneers is a three-year, $33.5MM pact that features $20MM in guarantees and $23.5MM over the first two seasons, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link).
- Safety D.J. Swearinger‘s new deal with the Redskins includes $9MM in guaranteed money, reports Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post (via Twitter). The journeyman will earn $3MM in 2018 and $4.25MM in 2019.
- Tackle Andrew Whitworth‘s new deal with the Rams is worth $36MM with $15MM guaranteed, but a big chunk of that $15MM could be realized in 2017. As Jason La Canfora tweets, the lineman’s $12.5MM 2017 salary is guaranteed, and he’s owed another $2.5MM bonus. Therefore, the contract could be interpreted as a one-year deal worth $15MM.
- Micah Hyde‘s new contract will count $4MM against the Bills salary cap next season, reports ESPN’s Mike Rodak. The safety’s 2017 salary is guaranteed, while the 2018 salary is guaranteed for injury (it becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2018 league year).
Extra Points: Raiders, Holmes, Whitworth
The latest from around the NFL:
- The Raiders are still in the mix for wide receiver Andre Holmes, Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com tweets. At least five other teams have shown interest in signing him this week.
- Left tackle Andrew Whitworth left the Bengals for the Rams because of his desire for long-term security, agent Pat Dye tells Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com. Whitworth’s deal with L.A. is a three-year, $36MM pact with $15MM guaranteed. The Bengals refused to go past one-year at $10MM.
- Jairus Byrd will be designated a June 1 cut, Nick Underhill of The Advocate tweets. The Saints informed Byrd of his release earlier this week.
- The Bengals are not interested in offensive lineman D.J. Fluker, Jim Owczarski of The Enquirer tweets.
- Kevin Zeitler says his best contract offers came from the Saints and Browns, Alex Marvez of SiriusXM tweets. His agent recommended Cleveland based on the money offered and that’s the direction he ultimately went in.