North Notes: Peterson, Ihedigbo, Gipson
Of all the players who didn’t report to their respective teams’ initial offseason workouts today, perhaps the least surprising name on the list is Adrian Peterson. After being reinstated last week, Peterson is said to be seeking a trade, a new contract, or both. Ben Goessling of ESPN.com confirms (via Twitter) that, as expected, the star running back didn’t attend the first day of the Vikings‘ voluntary spring workouts.
While we wait to see who blinks first in the standoff between Peterson and his longtime team, let’s check in on a few more items from around the NFL’s two North divisions, including updates on a couple other players who didn’t report today….
- Every Lions player except for safety James Ihedigbo was in attendance for the first day of the club’s voluntary training program, tweets Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. Ihedigbo’s absence doesn’t come as a shock, since we heard a couple weeks ago that he was looking for a new contract from the Lions.
- Browns safety Tashaun Gipson is another player that didn’t report to his team’s voluntary program today, as Mary Kay Cabot of the Northeast Ohio Media Group details. Gipson’s situation is a little different — he received a second-round RFA tender from Cleveland last month, and wasn’t overly thrilled about that. He can still negotiate with other teams that might be interested in signing him to an offer sheet, but he’s running out of time, and any potential suitor would have to part with a second-round pick to land him.
- A.J. Green tells Coley Harvey of ESPN.com (all Twitter links) that his reps and the Bengals talked at the combine about a possible contract extension. However, he’s in no hurry to get something done, and its content to play out his fifth-year option year if necessary. Harvey adds that Marvin Jones, George Iloka, and others whose contracts expire after 2015 also seem fine with playing out the season on those deals.
Extra Points: Peterson, Johnson, Jaguars
The Vikings‘ reported asking price of a second-round pick and the inclusion of an additional late-rounder for Adrian Peterson may not be all the team covets here. A first-round pick and a staring-caliber cornerback appears to be the Vikings’ latest demand in order to part with their disgruntled franchise performer, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.
Signed to the highest-paying contract for any running back and now 30, Peterson’s lack of leverage beyond a serious holdout, which won’t reach an elevated threat level until minicamp-related fines ensue in mid-June, allows his current team to play hardball here.
Let’s look at some of the week’s final news here …
- Minnesota could look to supplement its backfield as early as the third round in this year’s draft, writes Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Vensel expects Peterson and the Vikings to eventually find common ground. Despite the roster housing elusive ex-quarterback Jerick McKinnon and touchdown-producer Matt Asiata, another back would shuttle in and vie for the No. 2 job in that scenario.
- The most notable veteran running back remaining in free agency, Chris Johnson is training for a potential audition with a team with a bullet still inside his body, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
- Miami wide receiver Phillip Dorsett will pay a visit to the Eagles‘ facilities Monday, reports Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Listed as a Day 2 pick in our Rob DiRe’s analysis of this class’ wide receivers, Dorsett ran two sub-4.3-second 40-yard dash times at the Hurricanes’ pro day recently and visited the Titans previously.
- Also from Wilson: the Browns will meet with West Georgia defensive lineman Tory Slater this week. The former high school wideout-turned-Division II defensive lineman already met with the Falcons, 49ers and Seahawks.
- Blake Bortles‘ window at establishing himself will include the next two seasons, writes the Florida Times-Union’s Hays Carlyon. The Jaguars‘ No. 3 overall pick in 2014 will halt the team from using the same selection on a quarterback — or drafting one altogether — this year. But the Jags’ coaching staff is watching and discussing the top quarterbacks in the draft should either Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota fall past the top two slots and an antsy team eyes a trade into Jacksonville’s slot.
- OverTheCap’s Zack Moore sees the market for wide receivers becoming more reasonable despite stars like Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas and A.J. Green set for new deals soon. In a lengthy piece, the salary cap website writer examines how this year’s contracts for Randall Cobb and Jeremy Maclin were more team-friendly than recent deals for Larry Fitzgerald, Mike Wallace and Vincent Jackson, and that teams can be more firm in their stances due to a growing influx of cheaper talent ready to contribute in each draft class.
- Philly.com’s Bob Brookover writes Tim Tebow‘s persistence has little chance to catapult him back onto a 53-man roster come September.
North Notes: Peterson, Browns, Flacco
Voluntary workouts for the Vikings begin tomorrow, but a source tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that embattled running back Adrian Peterson is not expected to attend. Don’t read too much into the recently-reinstated Peterson’s planned no-show, adds Tomasson, as Peterson’s appearance at voluntary events has always been “sporadic.” Minnesota’s first mandatory session doesn’t come until June 16.
Here’s more from the NFL’s two North divisions:
- Penn State offensive lineman Donovan Smith, a projected Day Two selection, will visit the Browns, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN. Smith, who played left tackle in college, would shift to the right side (or guard) in Cleveland.
- If the Browns don’t trade up for Marcus Mariota, ESPN.com’s Pat McManamon thinks the club might not select a quarterbck at all. While he allows that his opinion is just a guess, McManamon adds that Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel, Thad Lewis, and Connor Shaw could hold the fort until a franchise QB is chosen, perhaps in next year’s draft.
- Joe Flacco might never earn the “elite” label, but he’s given the Ravens stability at the quarterback position, something a lot of clubs are still searching for, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
NFC Notes: Bucs, Peterson, Washington
We rounded up some AFC links earlier this morning, so let’s have a look at a few notes from the NFC.
- Although the Glazer family has never meddled in the Buccaneers‘ personnel decisions to the same degree Jerry Jones has meddled with the Cowboys, Tampa Bay’s ownership has a tradition of assuming a powerful role in the team’s football operations at key moments. According to Ira Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune, the Glazers have been very active in deciding what the Bucs should do with their No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft.
- The Vikings would want at least a second-rounder and a late-round pick for Adrian Peterson, writes Ben Goessling of ESPN.com, who does not expect the team to lower its asking price just to move Peterson.
- The Lions will likely wait until after the draft to address their left guard spot, and when they do, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com expects the team to add a veteran at the position.
- John Mullin of CSNChicago.com writes that, with each signing the Bears make, the job security of those already on the roster becomes more uncertain. That is especially true on the defensive side of the ball, where Chicago has added two linebackers and is moving a 2014 defensive end back to outside linebacker. That means the three Game 16 starters of last season, Jonathan Bostic, Christian Jones, and Shea McClellin, are competing for one vacancy.
- Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wonders if the Rams will select a quarterback in this year’s draft, noting that if they do, they better strike early.
- Rich Tandler and Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com examine Washington‘s depth chart at quarterback. El-Bashir believes the team will draft a signal-caller, which will leave Colt McCoy and Kirk Cousins fighting for one job.
- John Keim of ESPN.com does not believe Washington will bring back Tyler Polumbus or Brandon Meriweather, and he would not be surprised if the team drafted Marcus Mariota if the former Oregon signal-caller is still available when Washington is on the clock.
- Dan Graziano of ESPNNewYork.com writes that, in a perfect world, there would be a clear-cut option at pass-rusher for the Giants to select with their No. 9 overall pick. The problem is that most of the premium pass rushers, outside of perhaps Bud Dupree, look more like 3-4 outside linebackers than 4-3 defensive ends. As such, the team may end up with one of this year’s top offensive lineman, like Brandon Scherff or Ereck Flowers.
Extra Points: Draft, Peterson, Cowboys
The most landscape-altering move discussed in a slew of Marcus Mariota-procurement rumors involves Philip Rivers heading to the Titans.
But considering the price Washington had to pay the Rams to move up from No. 14 to No. 2 to select Robert Griffin in 2012 — three first-rounders and a second-round selection — ESPN’s Bill Polian argues that the Chargers‘ No. 17 pick and Rivers potentially being included in a trade isn’t enough to warrant the Titans moving out of the No. 2 spot.
“Why wouldn’t that be the benchmark?” Polian said to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s Mark Craig. “The price to move up to No. 2 would be pretty darn high, I would think.”
The counter-argument there is the 33-year-old Rivers’ five-time Pro Bowl status and potential productivity going forward replaces one, possibly two, of those selections in a deal. Although Jay Cutler was nearly seven years younger and far less proven, another recent comparable maneuver fetched the Broncos two first-rounders, low-end starter Kyle Orton and a third-round selection, with only an additional fifth-rounder to make that deal work for the Bears.
On to some additional news from around the league on Saturday night …
- In the same piece from Craig, Vikings GM Rick Spielman‘s penchant for trading back into the first round stems from the ability to retain the player on his first contract for five years instead of four due to the fifth-year option introduced in the 2011 CBA. Minnesota did this to acquire Harrison Smith in 2012 and Teddy Bridgewater in 2014 but may not be able to execute such a move this year with just seven total draft choices, writes Craig.
- Star-Tribune columnist Sid Hartman expects a positive resolution to the ongoing Adrian Peterson-Vikings standoff despite the Cowboys’ not-so-secret pursuit. With the running back potentially accelerating Bridgewater’s development by providing a high-quality complementary force, Hartman expects Zygi and Mark Wilf to “make every effort” to get Peterson back. This included assuring more guaranteed money comes to the player with the biggest contract in the league at his position.
- The Cowboys‘ acquisition of Greg Hardy will enable them to address other needs early in the draft, notes Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News. While a forthcoming suspension remains in play for Hardy, Dallas’ 28th-best pass rush receives a big upgrade and as a result, the linebacker and running back needs can be addressed without a reach for a pass-rusher being necessary at No. 27.
- Josh Lambo is an unusual kicking prospect that will be available in post-draft free agency, writes Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Before kicking for three years at Texas A&M and breaking the Aggies’ field goal accuracy record, the 24-year-old Lambo resided in Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas organization for four years.
Reaction To Stefen Wisniewski Signing
The Jaguars came to terms with one of the more interesting free agents of this offseason in Stefen Wisniewski, signing the former Raider to a one-year deal worth $2.5MM.
Here is some reaction from around the league about Wisniewski’s value, interest, and NFL future:
- Wisniewski also visited with the Patriots, Seahawks, Titans, and Washington in free agency, writes Ryan O’Halloran of Jacksonville.com.
- One reason the Seahawks might have been hesitant to pursue Wisniewski more adamantly is that the center would likely cost a compensatory draft pick, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter).
- Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News believed the Vikings had some interest in Wisniewski, but the team never called to pursue him. (via Twitter).
- Many Raiders fan were hoping the team could re-sign Wisniewski to play guard next to free agent acquisition Rodney Hudson, but neither the player nor team were interested in that arrangement, according to Bill Williamson of ESPN (via Twitter). Williamson believes the coaching staff did not think very highly of him as a player (via Twitter). He adds that Wisniewski could be added to a long list of recent Raider draft picks to not make it to their second contract in Oakland (via Twitter).
- The one-year deal will allow Wisniewski to prove his value before reaching free agency again next offseason, where he could command a larger contract, writes Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1 (via Twitter).
NFC Mailbags: Cousins, Boykin, Lions, Vikings
It’s Saturday morning, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s take a look at some notes from the NFC…
- John Keim believes quarterback Kirk Cousins is on Washington‘s roster come the season opener. However, the writer opines that the organization’s long-term quarterback is currently not on the team.
- Cornerback Brandon Boykin could have some value if the Eagles decided to shop him, says Phil Sheridan. Prior to the draft, the writer believes the team could fetch a fourth or fifth-round pick. Following the draft, when team’s begin to evaluate their biggest holes, the Eagles could potentially get a third-rounder in return.
- The Lions could seek some veteran help on the offensive line, but Jake Long or Joe Barksdale might be long shots to join the team, writes Michael Rothstein. If neither player proves to be an upgrade over LaAdrian Waddle, Rothstein believes the organization will pass.
- The Vikings could select a quarterback in one of the middle rounds, but Ben Goessling says the team may have already gotten their developmental signal-caller when they acquired Mike Kafka.
Raiders Interested In Adrian Peterson
The Raiders had the worst rushing attack in the NFL in 2014 and still don’t have a proven running back on their roster capable of taking the pressure off young quarterback Derek Carr, but that might change soon. The NFL Network reports that the Raiders have shown interest in acquiring six-time Pro Bowler Adrian Peterson, writes Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. 
The 30-year-old Peterson sat out all of last season because of domestic violence issues, but the league reinstated him earlier this week. Despite being under contract with the Vikings for three more years, the former MVP’s future in Minnesota is uncertain and he could end up traded prior to next season.
If the Vikings do deal Peterson, the Raiders could be a fit because of both their need for a top-end back and their available cap space. Oakland has plenty of salary room for Peterson, whose cap hit exceeds $15MM in each of the remaining years of his contract (it’s $15.4MM in 2015).
The Raiders’ cap situation is much better than that of the Cowboys, who have been linked to Peterson this offseason. Oakland has roughly $12MM more to spend than Dallas, per Smith, but he also notes that Peterson to the Bay Area is unlikely because the rebuilding Raiders aren’t an expensive, over-30 player away from contention. Nonetheless, given the Raiders’ dearth of offensive weapons, it’s a situation that bears watching as the offseason progresses and Peterson’s future becomes clearer.
Draft Notes: Rams, Winston, Vikings, Saints
Despite already having a starting-caliber quarterback in Nick Foles, the Rams are doing their due diligence with the position as the NFL draft nears. They worked out Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota for roughly an hour Thursday, tweets the NFL Network’s Albert Breer. Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch tweeted earlier Thursday that, in addition to Mariota, the Rams will work out Florida State’s Jameis Winston, Baylor’s Bryce Petty, Colorado State’s Garrett Grayson and UCLA’s Brett Hundley in the coming days. Mariota and Winston should be long gone by the time the Rams’ first-round selection, the 10th overall pick, rolls around, while the rest are viewed as options in the second round and beyond.
More draft-related news:
- NFL teams were already aware of Jameis Winston’s latest legal troubles before the news broke Thursday and those issues won’t affect his draft status, per Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (video link).
- The Vikings have done their homework on a pair of safety prospects, Louisville’s James Sample and Central Florida’s Clayton Geathers, reports Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (via Twitter). Both are projected as mid-round picks.
- Although West Virginia defensive end Shaquille Riddick wasn’t among the 323 prospects invited to February’s scouting combine, he has drawn pre-draft interest from the Giants, Cardinals, Eagles, Texans, Saints, Bears and Chiefs, tweets Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. Riddick told Ulrich that is using the combine snub as motivation. “Wherever I go, I’m going to be a surprise that they’re going to benefit from,” said Riddick. “And whoever doesn’t select me, they’re going to have to worry about me terrorizing their quarterbacks.”
- The Saints will host their local pro day on Friday, according to Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com. Per Woodbery, at least a dozen players will participate. Only those who grew up within a 40-mile radius of New Orleans or attended college within the same distance are eligible to partake.
Adrian Peterson Rumors: Thursday
Following Adrian Peterson‘s reinstatement, the next step to address is where he will play next season, for how much and for whom.
Here are some of the rumors circulating so far …
- The Vikings have stated publicly, albeit very briefly today, they want the All-Pro runner in their backfield again, but Michael Rand of the Minneapolis Star Tribune examines if they should want him back. He calls into question Peterson’s age (30) and his cap figure ($15.4MM) that dwarfs every other running back at a time in which the position’s value has never been lower. While Peterson was out last season, Teddy Bridgewater zoomed to the forefront of the Vikings from a marketing standpoint as well as serving in a leadership role, and Rand wonders how it would affect the locker room for the emerging quarterback to take a backseat to someone with Peterson’s reputation.
- While the Cardinals and Cowboys are the most-rumored frontrunners, the Raiders are a stealth candidate here, writes Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman after speaking with multiple general managers. The Raiders have the fifth-most cap space in the NFL at just more than $20MM and may be willing to bring Peterson aboard at his current deal, considering they have the financial resources, lack star power and were the bidders pushing the Eagles for DeMarco Murray last month.
- Peterson not mentioning the Vikings in his statement today caught the eye of the Dallas Morning News staff, with the Peterson-to-Dallas angle already scrutinized for years. Not surprising considering Peterson’s demand to leave Minnesota hasn’t been a secret. A theory similar to LeBron James not mentioning Andrew Wiggins or Anthony Bennett in his SI essay, though, still requires a trade to continue the narrative. The Cowboys, however, do outflank the Cardinals — Peterson’s other rumored suitor — in terms of cap space with more than $12MM to the Cards’ $9MM+.
- Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic writes a trade to the Cardinals, which remains in play should the Vikings move off their stance, would likely require a re-done contract.
- The Cardinals’ interest in Peterson could come from the fact they’ve had a shaky track record when it comes to using high draft picks on running backs, writes Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. Injuries derailed their last two runners taken — Ryan Williams (2011) and Beanie Wells (2009). Their most successful two ball-carriers selected in the past 25 years have been Thomas Jones (2000) and Garrison Hearst (1993). Both peaked elsewhere during long careers.
- Although most analysts have pinpointed the draft as the prime Peterson trade window, Ben Goessling of ESPN.com writes the saga could drag on to minicamp June 16-18, which represents the first time Peterson could be fined for his absence. The running back has a $250K workout bonus. Goessling interprets the Vikings’ terse message as an ultimatum for Peterson to return unless they’re blown away with a trade offer. They might be the only team willing to work with his massive contract, which will be a critical chip in this staredown.