Anthony Spencer Rumors: Sunday
We learned earlier that free agent defensive end Anthony Spencer was set to visit the Rams today. However, that report turned out to be incorrect, as Spencer is in fact scheduled to visit the Giants today, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). New York has already signed Quintin Demps and Walter Thurmond over the course of the past 12 hours, and they are apparently now interested in bolstering their pass rush after the departure of Justin Tuck.
Although Rapoport suggests Spencer would be an “intriguing fit” for the Giants, others seem less convinced. ESPN’s Dan Graziano tweets that Spencer is a “poor fit” in the Giants’ 4-3 defense, and he cites Spencer’s age and recent microfracture surgery to conclude that New York should only sign Spencer if the cost is very low. Jordan Raanan of NJ.com also tweets that it may take time for Spencer to fully recover from his surgery.
NFC East Rumors: Kelly, Spencer, Giants, Britt
Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer offers an explanation as to why the Eagles, traditional big-spenders in free agency, have not splurged on outside players this offseason, despite having $24MM in salary cap space. And it’s not just because the team has been burned in the past by ill-advised, big-money deals; it’s also about scheme. Rather than pursue the premier free agents on the market, the Eagles instead “targeted specific players they thought fit their scheme, could provide in-roster competition, and were versatile enough to help on special teams.”
Furthermore, as Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com writes, head coach Chip Kelly believes the team has spent heavily this offseason, but the Eagles spent the money to retain their own players and view free agents from outside teams as complements to the core of their roster. The strategy that Kelly and general manager Howie Roseman have followed adheres to the blueprint Roseman laid out last month, and it suggests the Eagles have turned a corner in the franchise’s approach to free agency.
Here are some more notes from the NFC East:
- We learned earlier today that Henry Melton will still visit with the Cowboys as planned, but Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News reports that “talks have heated up” with several teams. In a separate post, George writes defensive end Anthony Spencer will be visiting the Rams on Sunday. The Cowboys remain interested in bringing Spencer back if the price is right.
- Steve Serby of the New York Post believes the Giants are losing the offseason battle to their divisional rivals, but that was before the team landed Quintin Demps and signed Walter Thurmond.
- The Redskins may be throwing their hat into the Kenny Britt ring, with Albert Breer of the NFL Network tweeting that the team is working on scheduling a visit with the receiver.
FA Rumors: 49ers, Tate, Rams, Melton, Bills
News of signings and visits is gradually slowing down as we approach the 72-hour mark of free agency, but there are plenty of players still seeking contracts, and it wouldn’t be surprising if a number of those free agents find deals today. Here’s the latest on a few available players:
- The 49ers are comfortable heading into 2014 with Chris Culliver and Tramaine Brock as their starting cornerbacks, but are willing to offer Tarell Brown a three-year, $10MM deal to return, tweets Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
- Free agent running back Ben Tate‘s visit with the Browns is continuing into today, reports Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (Twitter link).
- The Rams “aren’t quite done” in free agency, according to head coach Jeff Fisher (Twitter link). Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com notes that the team remains interested in free agent guards Daryn Colledge and Davin Joseph.
- Speaking of Fisher, the Rams will host one of his former players from Tennessee, as wide receiver Kenny Britt is scheduled to visit St. Louis, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
- Earlier today, we heard that Henry Melton was en route to Seattle to visit the Seahawks after spending the night in Minnesota. After his Seattle meeting, Melton will visit the Cowboys, tweets Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- The Bills have confirmed that free agent running back Anthony Dixon and linebacker Brandon Spikes are visiting the team today, according to Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com.
- Chris Russell of ESPN Radio (Twitter link) hears that cornerback Walter Thurmond is no longer scheduled to visit the Redskins.
- Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star explores the Colts‘ signing of Phil Costa and their rumored interest in Alex Mack, suggesting that Costa represents a solid fallback starting option at center if the team is unable to land Mack.
Extra Points: Raiders, Bills, LaFell, Broncos
Having already added LaMarr Woodley and Justin Tuck to their defense, the Raiders continue to eye veteran free agents, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who tweets that Antonio Smith is visiting the club today before meeting with the Rams tomorrow. Here’s more from around the NFL:
- The Bills currently have no plans to add a veteran quarterback to their roster, GM Doug Whaley told WGR550 today (link via ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak).
- The Jets have had multiple discussions with Brandon LaFell‘s camp, but no visit has been scheduled for the free agent receiver, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
- Vikings defensive back Jamarca Sanford agreed to restructure his contract last week, reducing his base salary by $750K in exchange for a $400K guarantee and playing-time incentives, according to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.
- Following the Broncos‘ defensive shopping spree, the team is still in the market for an interior offensive lineman, a wide receiver, and a middle linebacker, writes Mike Klis of the Denver Post.
- The Ravens spoke to linebacker Wesley Woodyard before he reached a deal with the Titans, but Baltimore never got heavily involved, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- Examining a few of this week’s signings, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com explains how contract numbers are often artificially inflated when they’re first reported.
Jo-Lonn Dunbar Re-Signs With Rams
Linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar has come to terms on a two-year deal to return to the Rams, reports Ian Rapaport of NFL.com (via Twitter). The deal could be worth up to $3.5MM.
The deal is a wonderful birthday present for Dunbar, who just turned 29 today. Dunbar started all 16 games for St. Louis in 2012 and he recorded 88 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two picks, four passes defended, and two forced fumbles.
However, he missed the first four games of the 2013 season after violating the league’s performance enhancing drugs policy. The suspension led to his release, but the club re-signed him on October 1st. He finished 2013 with 33 tackles in total.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
NFC Contract Details: Quarless, Collins, Saffold
We rounded up a handful of AFC contract details earlier this afternoon. Now, let’s turn our attention to the NFC:
- Andrew Quarless‘ two-year contract with the Packers is worth $3MM in total, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. The base salaries are $800K and $1.3MM, while the remaining money is made up of a $350K signing bonus, $200K in per-game roster bonuses, and $75K in annual workout bonuses.
- Pelissero tweets that only $9MM of Anthony Collins‘ five-year deal with the Bucs is fully guaranteed at signing, which is $6MM less than what was reported earlier. I’m guessing that $6MM is guaranteed for injury only.
- Although Rodger Saffold‘s new five-year contract with the Rams is worth $31.7MM, it can max out at $35MM+, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
- Willie Young‘s three-year contract with the Bears includes a $1MM roster bonus and $150K in workout bonuses, tweets Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times.
- Meanwhile, the Bears‘ signing of Ryan Mundy has the club on the hook for a two-year, $3MM contract, with $650K guaranteed, says Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (all Twitter links). That $650K guarantee comes in the form of a roster bonus, while the pact includes base salaries of $800K (2014) and $1.45MM (2015), plus workout bonuses of $50K annually.
- Eric Wright‘s one-year contract with the 49ers sounds like a minimum salary benefit deal, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (Twitter link). For a player with Wright’s experience, that’s an $855K base salary to go along with a $20K reporting bonus and another $25K if he makes the team.
- Joe Berger‘s one-year deal with the Vikings is worth $920K, with a $65K signing bonus, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). That makes it a minimum salary benefit contract too.
- Anthony McCoy will have a base salary of $950K on his one-year contract with the Seahawks, tweets KJR’s Curtis Crabtree.
Rams Sign Rodger Saffold To Five-Year Deal
5:25pm: Saffold’s new deal with the Rams has been finalized and announced, so it appears there’s no risk of another twist in this story. Here’s the team’s press release.
THURSDAY, 9:20am: Saffold’s new five-year deal with the Rams doesn’t have the same overall value as his agreement with the Raiders, but it includes nearly the same amount of guaranteed money. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) that it’s worth $31.7MM overall, including $19.5MM guaranteed. Saffold also has an option to void the contract after three years.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Rams reporter Tony Softli (Twitter link) shared a few more details today on how Saffold saw his deal with the Raiders fall apart.
WEDNESDAY, 9:36pm: After an apparent disagreement with the Raiders over the tackle’s health, Saffold will be rejoining the Rams on a five-year deal, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Raiders had concerns over Saffold’s shoulder while the Rams had “no concerns whatsoever,” the player’s agents told Schefter (on Twitter). The player and the team are still working out the monetary details, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
According to Michael Silver of NFL.com (via Twitter), Raiders owner Mark Davis was the one who “pulled the plug” on the deal. Saffold could have had surgery and been ready for training camp, but Silver says it was Davis who decided to not continue on with the deal.
Earlier tonight, CSNCalifornia’s Scott Bair tweeted that the tackle failed his physical and would not be joining the Raiders. This all comes a day after Saffold reportedly agreed to a five-year, $42.5MM deal, of which about $16MM was to be guaranteed.
FA Rumors: Steve Smith, Andre Brown, Hatcher
The Ravens will be in hot pursuit of Steve Smith when he’s officially released by the Panthers, and a deal could end up materializing quickly, says Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Here’s more:
- It sounds like there’s a decent chance free agent running back Andre Brown could end up signing with the Raiders, continuing the offseason’s apparent free agent swap between Oakland and the Giants, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
- Assuming Jason Hatcher doesn’t sign with the Raiders, the defensive lineman will visit the Redskins, a source tells John Keim of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
- Cornerback Brandon Browner will visit with the Redskins tonight, according to Pro Football Talk (Twitter link).
- The Panthers have interest in bringing back free agent receiver Brandon LaFell, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
- Although fullback Henry Hynoski is visiting the Lions today, he has remained in contact with the Giants, tweets Rapoport.
- ESPN’s Josina Anderson (Twitter links) has the details on the Titans‘ upcoming free agent visits: LaMarr Woodley intends to visit Friday if he doesn’t sign with the Raiders, while Pat Sims and Antonio Smith will visit today.
- The Vikings have made a call inquiring on free agent guard Daryn Colledge, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN. Colledge, who will visit the Rams today, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), was recently cut loose by the Cardinals for cap savings.
Bucs Rumors: Tillman, Ginn, Joseph
The Buccaneers aren’t done yet. Even after signing Alterraun Verner yesterday to a four-year, $26.5MM pact and landing quarterback Josh McCown, Tampa Bay is still in on free agent cornerback Charles Tillman, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Tillman figures to have plenty of suitors around the NFL but the opportunity to reunite with former coach Lovie Smith might draw him to Tampa Bay. More on the Buccaneers..
- Along with the Ravens, the Buccaneers and Raiders could be a landing spot for free agent wide receiver Steve Smith, a source tells Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer (on Twitter). Earlier today, Smith’s agent revealed that his client has played his last snap in Carolina.
- The Buccaneers confirmed that they are hosting free agent wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., writes Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. Ginn, the ninth-overall pick in the 2007 draft, has made a name for himself in the return game. Ginn, 29 in April, averaged 12.2 yards per punt return in 2013 and 23.8 yards per kickoff return.
- Former Buccaneers guard Davin Joseph is visiting the Rams today, a source tells Jeremy Fowler of CBS Sports (on Twitter). Joseph saw time in all 16 games for Tampa Bay last season.
West Rumors: McFadden, 49ers, Rams
Darren McFadden re-signed with the Raiders but he could have gone elsewhere for more money. “We did have real interest from four or five other teams — one offered more money,” McFadden’s agent Ian Greengross told Jerry McDonald of Bay Area News Group. “Darren wanted to stay a Raider. He felt like he still had something to prove in silver and black.” The tailback came back to Oakland on a one-year, $1.75MM deal with $2.25 million in incentives and just $100K guaranteed. The latest out of the AFC and NFC West..
- The 49ers are in the market for a tall, long-armed cornerback and they have their eye on Vikings free agent corner Chris Cook, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. San Francisco also likes fellow free agent CB Nolan Carroll. Meanwhile, things are quiet around Tarell Brown and that could benefit the 49ers, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
- Versatile defensive lineman Alex Carrington is drawing strong interest from the Rams and Browns, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter). Carrington played in just three games for the Bills last season due to injury.
- Free agent cornerback Mike Jenkins is on the Cardinals‘ radar, tweets Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic. However, no visit is scheduled yet for the former first round pick. Jenkins spent last season with the Raiders.
- Justin Tuck isn’t the only player visiting the Raiders today. Adam Schefter of ESPN (on Twitter) says that Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas is also in Oakland.
- We can add a third Giant to the delegation visiting the Raiders. Running back Andre Brown is in Oakland as well, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
- Rams free agent guard Shelley Smith will make a visit with the Patriots, according to Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com. The 26-year-old started in two games for St. Louis last season and can play either left or right guard. He has build a reputation as a solid run blocker who can pull well.