East Notes: E. Manning, Cowboys, Dolphins
Eli Manning is entering the final year of his contract with the Giants, and there have been no discussions about an extension, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. However, the lack of negotiations has not phased the two-time Super Bowl MVP.
“I haven’t made a big deal about it,” Manning said. “[It] is not something I’m going to argue about or make a fuss about.”
Of course, Manning did receive a six-year, $97.5MM deal from the Giants back in 2010, a contract he is going to play out, so he has reason to be patient as his next contract negotiations approach. One would think that he is in line for one more big payday, even though he will be 35 when he hits unrestricted free agency next winter. New York could put the franchise tag on him if it comes down to it, though it is difficult to imagine Manning finishing his career on anything other than a multi-year deal with Big Blue.
Let’s take a look at some more notes from the league’s east divisions:
- Ralph Vacchiano of The New York Daily News believes there is only one direction for the Giants to go with the No. 9 overall pick in the draft: offensive line. Even if an elite wide receiver prospect like Amari Cooper or Kevin White falls to New York, Vacchiano believes the team should resist temptation and grab one of the top offensive linemen like Brandon Scherff or Ereck Flowers.
- Rainer Sabin of The Dallas Morning News looks at the top priorities for the Cowboys heading into the draft. He lists cornerback and defensive line as the two positions the team absolutely must address.
- For a number of reasons, the Cowboys have been pretty successful in the draft under head coach Jason Garrett. Garrett and assistant director of player personnel Will McClay have a good eye for talent, executive VP Stephen Jones has wielded a “firm and disciplined hand,” and owner Jerry Jones is meddling a little less. As David Moore of The Dallas Morning News writes, the one drawback to success in the draft is that other teams want to poach the successful team’s players, which has happened with the Cowboys this offseason. Running back DeMarco Murray, linebacker Bruce Carter, and special teams ace Dwayne Harris were all part of Garrett’s first draft class and all left in free agency, so the team must now deal with the unique challenge that drafting well presents: not only adding talent to the nucleus of the roster, but replacing lost talent in the most cost-effective manner possible, which includes mining hidden gems in the lower rounds. Dallas must show they are up to that task if they are to repeat as NFC East champions.
- John Keim of ESPN.com takes a look at a number of Robert Griffin III-related questions in his latest mailbag, including the ramifications of Washington‘s decision to either exercise or not exercise RGIII’s fifth-year option.
- In a couple of Dolphins-related items, James Walker of ESPN.com examines whether Miami would really be willing to roll the dice on Georgia RB Todd Gurley and what the holdup is in exercising Ryan Tannehill‘s fifth-year option.
- In Bill Belichick‘s 15 drafts with the Patriots, the team has traded up 17 times and traded down 17 times. As Jeff Howe of The Boston Herald writes, New England is one of two teams holding five of the top 101 picks in this year’s draft, so you can expect more wheeling and dealing from the Pats this week.
- Despite the buzz surrounding Marcus Mariota and the disappointment surrounding Geno Smith, Manish Mehta of The New York Daily News believes the Jets should go with the “strategically smart” decision and trade down from their No. 6 overall pick to select Stanford OT Andrus Peat.
AFC East Notes: Mariota, Gurley, Patriots
There has been a lot of talk about the Jets making a move to go up at get Marcus Mariota, but Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Daily News gives one big reason why the team shouldn’t trade up for the Heisman-trophy winner.
New general manager Mike Maccagnan was hired because of his track record as an evaluator who will build through the draft, and Cannizzaro wants him to trust his abilities and not give up future picks to move up in the draft. If Mariota should fall that would be different, but believes Maccagnan should give himself as many chances as possible to draft players and worry about the franchise quarterback another time without mortgaging multiple picks for one player.
Here are some more notes from around the AFC East:
- The Dolphins seem to be very high on Todd Gurley, but that doesn’t mean they are planning on targeting the Georgia running back in the first-round, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. The Dolphins got a great season out of Lamar Miller in 2014, and Gurley’s injury history is a red flag that high in the draft for a team with so many needs.
- The Patriots could go a number of ways in the draft, returning a solid roster from their Super Bowl team despite losing a few big names on the defensive side of the ball. Judy Cohen of WEEI.com picks out a player who could come in and help on that side in Arizona State defensive tackle Marcus Hardison. Hardison could be a day two pick, and could even fall to round four it the Patriots wait on him.
- Another player Cohen takes a close look at is offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo. He could be a great pick as a swing tackle for the Patriots, with the physical tools to handle either side of the line. He played quarterback and tight end in the eighth grade and high school before moving to the defensive and offensive lines. Sambrailo is expected to be a day two pick.
Dolphins VP Tannenbaum On Jordan, Draft
Earlier tonight, Jaguars GM David Caldwell addressed local reporters to tackle a number of topics. Keeping things in the great state of Florida, here are some highlights from Dolphins VP Mike Tannenbaum‘s chat with local media..
- When asked directly if the Dolphins expect Dion Jordan to be at the team’s mandatory camp, Tannenbaum punted, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald tweets. Beasley and the rest of the Miami beat writers seem to believe that Jordan’s future with the club is in jeopardy.
- Jordan’s suspensions in 2014 voided the $5,4MM of 2015/2016 guarantees in his contract, which makes it easier for Miami to cut him, Joel Corry of CBSSports.com notes (via Twitter).
- Tannenbaum said they haven’t made any final decision on QB Ryan Tannehill‘s contract as his fifth-year option approaches,James Walker of ESPN.com tweets.
- Tannenbaum made it clear that GM Dennis Hickey has final say in the draft room, James Walker of ESPN.com tweets.
- Tannenbaum told the press that the team is “an equal opportunity trader,” Beasley tweets. The VP indicated that the Dolphins could move up or go back.
- Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (on Twitter) hears that the Dolphins like 19 first round prospects. Miami will pick at No. 14 on April 30th.
Jaguars GM On Jennings, Blackmon, Draft
Jaguars GM David Caldwell isn’t opposed to trading a draft pick for a veteran player. “Depends on the player,” he told Ryan O’Halloran (on Twitter) and the rest of the Jaguars’ beat writers. But how about Vikings running back Adrian Peterson?
“He’s on the Vikings,” the GM said flatly.
Caldwell declined to really comment on AD, but he had plenty more to tell the group of local reporters. Here’s a look at the highlights of his presser..
- The GM said he never made an offer to wide receiver Greg Jennings before he signed with the Dolphins, O’Halloran tweets. The Jags were among the teams interested in the veteran, along with the Panthers and Saints. The 31-year-old ultimately got a two-year, $8MM deal from Miami.
- Caldwell says he’s not disappointed that the team hasn’t heard anything regarding wide receiver Justin Blackmon‘s status, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com tweets. For now, the Jaguars will be going forward as planned without him.
- The Jaguars have narrowed their choice at to three-to-five players if they stay put at No. 3, O’Halloran tweets. So far, he says he has yet to receive a call on the pick (link).
- Caldwell said about 200 players are on the Jaguars’ board, O’Halloran tweets.
- Caldwell emphasized the need for a difference-maker rather than two solid players, John Oehser of Jaguars.com tweets.
East Notes: Jennings, Eagles, Cowboys
When Greg Jennings reached a contract agreement with the Dolphins earlier this week, we learned almost immediately that it was a two-year, $8MM pact. Now, Alex Marvez of Fox Sports has a breakdown of the specifics. Per Marvez (Twitter link), the wideout’s deal features a $3MM signing bonus, base salaries of $900K (2015) and $3.9MM (2016), and annual workout bonuses of $100K. That means Jennings’ cap hit for this season should be $2.5MM before jumping to $5.5MM in ’15.
According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter), before the Vikings released Jennings, they offered him a pay cut to $4MM, plus $3MM in incentives. However, that offer didn’t include any guarantees, so it makes sense that the veteran would elect to hit the open market instead.
Here are a few more Friday morning items out of the NFL’s East divisions:
- UConn cornerback Byron Jones, who has already visited the Eagles and has been cited as a potential target for the club, is working out for Philadelphia’s brain trust this morning, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net. According to Pauline, Huskies wideout Geremy Davis and defensive tackle B.J. McBryde are also participating in the Eagles’ workout.
- The Cowboys are working out Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney today, per Pauline, who notes (via Twitter) that the club is sending a defensive line coach to attend the workout.
- Even if they expect Greg Hardy to have to serve his full 10-game suspension, the Cowboys aren’t likely to elevate pass rusher above running back or cornerback when it comes to their draft needs, writes David Moore of the Dallas Morning News.
- Washington is sending its defensive staff to Macon, Georgia to meet with University of Kentucky edge rusher Bud Dupree on Monday, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link).
- Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. told Alex Marvez of SiriusXM NFL Radio (on Twitter) that the Giants called him Thursday night to chat as a part of their pre-draft process. The Giants pick at No. 9, but Fowler could very well be gone by that point.
- In an Insider-only piece for ESPN.com, Field Yates identifies five general managers who need a strong draft in 2015, lest they find themselves in hot water after the season. Bills GM Doug Whaley tops Yates’ list.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
East Notes: Mariota, Dolphins, Cowboys
Earlier today, the Jets opted to pick up their 2016 option on former first-round pick Quinton Coples. While he has yet to blossom into the player they envisioned, the Jets aren’t quite ready to give up on him, as Manish Mehta of the Daily News writes. “You see potential,” head coach Todd Bowles said at the league meetings last month. “He’s a lot like Geno (Smith). . . . You see him make plays and then you see him do other things at times. He can make strides this year and become a better player.” Here’s more from the AFC and NFC East..
- The Jets quietly brought Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota to Florham Park, New Jersey for a visit on April 2nd, Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets. That meeting was five days after privately evaluating him in Eugene, Oregon. That makes the Jets one of three teams, joining the Bucs and Titans, to both work Mariota out on campus and bring him in to their facility (link).
- Former Falcons guard Mike Johnson worked out for the Dolphins, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Johnson was selected 98th overall in the third round of the 2010 draft by the Falcons and was with Atlanta through 2014. Johnson has had some bad luck over the last two seasons. The 28-year-old suffered an ankle and leg injury that sidelined him for the entire 2013 season and also lost 2014 to the injured reserve.
- Dorial Green-Beckham was at the Cowboys complex on Wednesday to meet with coaches and scouts, a source tells David Moore of The Dallas Morning News. There was a report last week that Green-Beckham declined an invitation to meet with Dallas, but it appears that he has had a change of heart. In terms of pure talent, DGB is regarded as one of the best receivers in the draft. His off-field issues complicate matters, however.
Draft Notes: Ray, Scherff, Peters, Williams
There was some concern that Missouri pass rusher Shane Ray, who is expected to come off the board early in the draft next Thursday night, would require surgery on a troublesome foot injury. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links), Ray’s injury – which is similar to turf toe – was discovered during a team visit and prompted a visit to a foot specialist, who recommended rest rather than a surgical procedure, good news for the young edge defender.
Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (Twitter link) hears that the Cowboys flagged Ray as needing surgery, but not all teams – and not all doctors, apparently – were convinced it was required.
Let’s check in on a few more Thursday draft updates….
- Iowa tackle Brandon Scherff is drawing “heavy interest” from teams drafting between the fifth and ninth spots in the first round, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link). The clubs currently in those spots? Washington, the Jets, the Bears, the Falcons, and the Giants.
- In addition to making 17 pre-draft visits to teams, Washington cornerback Marcus Peters had individual workouts for the Falcons, Panthers, Buccaneers, and Dolphins, tweets Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
- Speaking to Maggie Gray on SI Now, Florida State cornerback P.J. Williams said that most teams are telling him his DUI incident shouldn’t have a huge impact on his draft stock.
- Montana edge defender Zack Wagenmann, who is projected as a mid- to late-round pick, broke his foot recently during a private workout with an NFL team, writes Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Wagenmann won’t be able to participate in football-related activities for eight weeks, but is aiming to be ready for training camp.
- Caplan also passes along an update on Hobart offensive lineman Ali Marpet, reporting (via Twitter) that Marpet visited the Chargers earlier this week, and has worked out for the Cardinals, Bengals, and Texans.
- Besides confirming some of his previously-reported visits, T.J. Clemmings‘ draft diary for USA Today (via Tom Pelissero) added some new teams to his list of possible suitors. According to the Pittsburgh tackle himself, he visited the Bears and had a private workout with the Panthers. Clemmings will also privately work out for the Dolphins tomorrow.
- Florida linebacker Neiron Ball has made pre-draft visits with the Patriots, Broncos, Buccaneers, and Texans, writes Wilson. Ball has also worked out privately for the Falcons, Rams, Steelers, Cardinals, and Texans.
Dolphins Sign Greg Jennings
THURSDAY, 11:39am: The Dolphins have officially signed Jennings, the team announced today (via Twitter).
WEDNESDAY, 4:50pm: The Dolphins will sign wide receiver Greg Jennings, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). It’s a two-year, $8MM deal, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
In Jennings, the Dolphins have added a veteran receiver to take the lace of Mike Wallace, who was traded to Minnesota earlier this offseason. The veteran will join fellow receivers Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills in Miami and figures to serve in a mentor/mentee role with them. Miami has moved on from Wallace, Brandon Gibson, and Brian Hartline, so he will be very much needed in Miami, even though he won’t be the No. 1 or No. 2 target.
Jennings was catching passes from a combination of Matt Cassel, Christian Ponder, and even Josh Freeman during his first year with the Vikes, and never appeared to be an ideal fit. Even after Teddy Bridgewater emerged as the starter in 2014, Jennings’ production was unspectacular — he recorded just 59 receptions for 742 yards last season. That’s a far cry from his best work. During the three seasons in which he played all 16 games, from 2008 to 2010, Jennings posted three straight 1,100-yard seasons, averaging about 75 receptions, 1,223 yards, and eight touchdowns per year.
Within the last few weeks, the 31-year-old was also linked to a number of other receiver-needy teams, including the Panthers, Jaguars, and Saints. Recently, PFR’s Luke Adams examined Jennings’ free agent stock and noted that the Dolphins were a logical fit.
Jennings indicated on March 31st that he was close to wrapping up the free agency process and on April Fools Day he teased that he would announce his decision. Things may have taken longer than expected to materialize, but Jennings has found a home in South Florida.
Minor Moves: Wednesday
Today’s minor moves..
- The Dolphins signed offensive lineman Jacques McClendon, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (on Twitter). The Jaguars declined to extend an offer to the restricted free agent earlier this offseason. McClendon, 28 in December, played in 13 games for the Jags at center and right guard last season with three starts. Miami also added fellow offensive lineman Jeff Linkenbach earlier today.
- Ravens defensive tackle Casey Walker signed his $510K exclusive-rights tender, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Baltimore signed Walker off of New England’s practice squad last year.
AFC East Notes: Patriots, Jennings, Dolphins
The Patriots typically don’t stress over the depth chart when they evaluate players in the draft, CSNNE.com’s Tom E. Curran writes. “You look at them independently; you evaluate the player irrespective of what you have on your team,” exec Nick Caserio explained. “It’s like we talked about a few years ago (in 2011) with Nate (Solder). We had Sebastian (Vollmer). We had Matt Light. So we had two good tackles, starting level tackles that play at a high level. So then you add Nate Solder (with a first-round pick). So here’s a third tackle that you’re bringing in that you feel has good ability. Is he better than Light or Vollmer? Maybe, maybe not. But we know at some point, this guy’s gonna be a good football player.” More from the AFC East..
- On the surface it might seem like the Dolphins are set at wide receiver after adding Greg Jennings, but they could still go for a No. 1 type in the draft, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald writes. Beasley hears that the Dolphins could trade back from No. 14 to select someone like Central Florida’s Breshad Perriman or USC’s Nelson Agholor.
- Jennings is a solid addition for the Dolphins, but not a No. 1 receiver, James Walker of ESPN.com writes. The former two-time Pro Bowler is not the player he was several years ago with the and is not the No. 1 receiver that Miami desperately needs. He still has something left in the tank, Walker writes, but he won’t turn their passing offense into a juggernaut.
- The Patriots officially have the Texans’ seventh-round pick in 2016 thanks to the Ryan Mallett trade with Houston, according to a pre-draft press release (via Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald on Twitter). Mallett, 26, was acquired by the Texans in a trade with the Patriots last offseason, and got a chance to start a couple games for Houston in 2014 before landing on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury. The deal gave New England a conditional seventh-round choice that could have matured into a sixth-rounder if Mallett met a certain snap requirement.