AFC East Notes: Wallace, Caserio, Bills
Dolphins‘ receiver Mike Wallace was benched during today’s game against the Jets for what was apparently an attitude problem, according to Albert Breer of NFL.com (via Twitter). Breer highlights this as a situation to watch going forward into the offseason.
Wallace is signed through 2017, with cap numbers of $12.1MM, $13.7MM, and $13.7MM the next three seasons. The team would only save $2.5MM by cutting him this offseason, according to OverTheCap.com.
Here are some other notes from around the AFC East:
- The Patriots extended the contract of director of player personnel Nick Caserio earlier today, and one reason for this could be the opinion of head coach Bill Belichick, writes Phil Perry of CSNNE.com. “He contributes in a lot of different ways, and I’m glad I have him. I need him,” Belichick said. “He probably does more than any other person in his position in the league in terms of his amount of responsibility and the number of different things at the coaching and scouting level. He’s really a valuable guy that has great working knowledge of really everything that we do on the scouting end and the coaching end.”
- Bills‘ CEO Russ Brandon and head coach Doug Marrone both confirmed that they do not have any scheduled meetings with new owners Terry and Kim Pegula, writes Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. “I’m sure at some point we’ll get into some more in-depth meetings,” Brandon said. “There’s nothing scheduled at this point. I talk to Terry all the time, and I have nothing on the books right now for any meetings.” Marrone confirmed that he had not been contacted regarding a meeting.
- Marrone has three days after the end of the season to opt out of his contract with the Bills due to a change in ownership, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Florio does not believe Marrone will exercise this clause in his contract.
- Bills‘ running back Fred Jackson earned an incentive of $150,000 in the team’s Week 17 victory over the Patriots, reports Rodak (via Twitter).
AFC East Notes: Rex, Dolphins, Patriots
We’ve already passed along the news of front office executive Nick Caserio’s extension with the Patriots and a batch of Jets notes, but there’s more news from the AFC East…
- As we’ve heard, the Jets are expected to fire GM John Idzik this week, but Rex Ryan might still have a chance to save his job. According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN, the Jets are open to letting the club’s next general manager decide Ryan’s fate. Ryan hasn’t been told that he’s fired, but he’s already cleared out his office. And per Jay Glazer of Fox Sports (link via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk), New York contacted Ryan’s agent to determine the interest of a separate client in the Jets job, so it would be a surprise to see Ryan return.
- Sources tell Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald that Dolphins defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle’s performance will be assessed after season, leading to speculation that he could be let go. Head coach Joe Philbin declined to give Coyle a vote of confidence last week after it was announced that Philbin would return to Miami in 2015. Under Coyle’s leadership, the Fins finished 10th in defensive DVOA, but 19th in weighted DVOA, meaning the unit got weaker as the year progressed. In a separate piece, Salguero speculates that Ryan could be a fit as the club’s new DC.
- As Joel Corry of CBS Sports points out (on Twitter), Patriots quarterback Tom Brady‘s base salaries for 2015-17, which total $24MM, are now guaranteed for injury and skill because he’s on New England’s roster for Week 17.
- Ben Volin of the Boston Globe lauds the work done by Bill Belichick, noting that Patriots head man has excelled both in his coaching responsibilities and his front office role. While allowing that this year’s draft class hasn’t produced much so far, Volin writes that nearly every free agent signing or trade orchestrated by Belichick has worked out this season.
- Deep into his Sunday notes piece, Volin rounds up the various performance escalators that are on the line for several key Patriots today.
- After speaking with agent Brian Ayrault, Florio reports (via Twitter) that Ayrault won’t be taking a job with the Bills. Florio had speculated as much earlier in the day.
Patriots Extend Nick Caserio
The Patriots have extended the contract of director of player personnel Nick Caserio through the 2020 season, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN. The deal is thought to be the longest for a front office executive in the NFL. Per Schefter, the pact was finalized weeks ago, but this is the first public report of the extension.
The contract has implications throughout the league, as Caserio was thought to be one of, if not the top, prospective general manager candidates on the market. He was offered the Dolphins GM post last season, but declined, paving the way for Miami to hire Dennis Hickey. He’s been linked to the Jets during this season, and just this morning, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com speculated that Caserio could be a fit with the Texans.
Caserio, 39, has been with New England since 2001, acting first as a coaching assistant, then area scout, and even served as the team’s receivers coach during the 2007 season. The John Carroll grad has been in his current position since 2008. According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, Caserio is a “respected, no-frills negotiator,” and though Bill Belichick and Floyd Reese have dealt with contracts since Scott Pioli left after the 2008 season, Caserio has been handed more responsibility as of late.
While Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Herald wonders (via Twitter) if Caserio”s extension includes a promotion to general manager, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe says (Twitter link) that the deal is largely symbolic, an indication on the part of Caserio that he’s committed to the Patriots. Additionally, Tom Curran of CSNNE.com speculates (on Twitter) that the contract could be an indicator of the end of Belichick’s tenure; in other words Belichick is ensuring his top personnel man will be in New England as long as he is.
Patriots Place Alfonzo Dennard On IR
The Patriots have placed cornerback Alfonzo Dennard on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, reports Field Yates of ESPN (via Twitter).
Dennard, a seventh-round pick in 2012, has been inconsistent during his time with New England. He has only played in 29 out of a potential 48 games in his three seasons, intercepting five passes during that time.
The Patriots still have starters Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner on the outside, and while Kyle Arrington has also struggled with a hamstring injury, he is expected to be ready for playoff football. The team still has Logan Ryan as an option at cornerback as well.
The Patriots have promoted wide receiver Josh Boyce from the practice squad to the active roster to fill Dennard’s roster spot.
The team has also signed cornerback Daxton Swanson back to the practice squad, reports Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com (via Twitter). They released defensive end and utility lineman Cam Henderson to make room for Swanson to return to the practice squad.
Reiss writes that the promotion of Boyce could indicate that the team’s two injured starting wideouts, Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell, could miss the game or receive a smaller workload in Week 17 against the Bills (via Twitter).
Edelman and LaFell are working through a concussion and shoulder injury, respectively.
AFC East Links: Jets, Patriots, Moore
For the second time in two years, the Jets are expected to be in the general manager market, so Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com ran down the potential candidates. At the top of the list are some familiar names: Chiefs’ exec Chris Ballard, Falcons’ assistant GM Scott Pioli, and Patriots’ director of player personnel Nick Cesario. Former Bears’ GM Jerry Angelo and Ravens’ assistant GM Eric DeCosta – who would likely turn down an opportunity to interview with the Jets yet again – are also on the list of names.
Here are some other notes from around the AFC East:
- Brian Costello of the New York Post offers up many of the same names plus a few more in his list of 15 Jets GM candidates. Beyond a GM change, he feels that the team also requires an overhaul of the scouting department. GM John Idzik has had his last two drafts picked apart, but the Jets’ draft woes go back much further than that. Dating back to 2008, the Jets have gotten weak returns on their draft classes.
- Field Yates of ESPNBoston.com looked at some key contract notes for Patriots players. Quarterback Tom Brady has a big one coming up. Tomorrow at 3pm CT, his base salaries of $7MM, $8MM, and $9MM become guaranteed over the next three years. Sebastian Vollmer, Julian Edelman, and Vince Wilfork also have big incentives on the line this weekend.
- Dolphins‘ backup quarterback Matt Moore is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and his future with the team is uncertain, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. “I’ve enjoyed everything about my time here,” Moore said. “I’m not sure if that’s going to end or if there’s a new chapter. I don’t know yet. When that time comes, I will figure it out then.” Walker writes that Moore is considered to be one of the top backups in the league, and the Dolphins’ salary cap issures and commitment to Ryan Tannehill could force Moore out. “If the situation is right, that will happen,” Moore said of coming back. “If there’s a situation elsewhere that is intriguing, it might also happen. … I’m going to kind of feel my way through it.”
- The Bills had a successful season despite missing the playoffs, starting 8-7 behind EJ Manuel and Kyle Orton and a porous offensive line. Still, new owner Terry and Kim Pegula could make changes during their first offseason with the team, and although head coach Doug Marrone likely did enough this season to keep his job, general manager Doug Whaley could be fired at the end of the year, writes Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News.
AFC East Notes: Spikes, Ryan, Tannehill
Brandon Spikes‘ four-year tenure with the Patriots came to an end this past offseason, and the linebacker ended up joining the division-rival Bills. Besides his production (Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics rank him as the 12-best inside linebacker), coach Doug Marrone has also been happy with Spikes’ “positive influence.”
“He’s really done a great job for us,” Marrone said (via Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com). “In the locker room, on the field. Helped some of our younger linebackers with Preston Brown and Nigel Bradham playing with Kiko (Alonso) being out. Just helping them, learning how to be a pro, watching film doing those things. He had an outstanding offseason, he was here throughout the whole offseason I think that was important. He was everything we expected him to be.”
Let’s take a look at some more notes from the AFC East…
- Rex Ryan’s tenure with the Jets is likely coming to a close, and Kevin Kernan of the New York Post says the next organization to sign the coach will not be making a mistake. Ryan talked to the media yesterday, revealing the lessons he learned from this season. “That I pretty much can handle anything,’’ he said. “I’m proud of the fact that our guys stayed the course. But it’s been a little humbling to say the least, only winning three games. That’s never happened to me before.”
- We learned yesterday that Jets quarterback Geno Smith intended to be his team’s leader for “a long time.” Of course, the second-year pro wasn’t done there. “I see myself helping this team turn things around,” Smith said (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini). “Obviously, I’m part of the reason why we’re in this position, so I’d love to be part of the solution.”
- While we’ve heard plenty of quotes to suggest Smith is confident, Brian Costello of the New York Post had a quote that suggested the Jets quarterback is also accountable. “I underachieved this year,” Smith told the reporter.
- The Dolphins will soon need to make a decision on quarterback Ryan Tannehill‘s 2016 option, and the decision will likely show whether the Dolphins believe in the former first-rounder as their future signal-caller. For what it’s worth, Tannehill thought he had one of his best seasons in 2014. “I feel like I’m better all-around,” Tannehill said (via ESPN.com’s James Walker). “I think I’ve grown throughout the season and gotten better each week. The guys around me have been playing well at the same time. When the whole offense elevates its play, it’s easy to get better.”
Joel Corry On Worst Salary Cap Situations
On Christmas Eve, Joel Corry of CBS Sports took a look at a few NFL teams who have the worst salary cap situations going into 2015. He picked out the five organizations stuck deepest in salary cap hell:
- New Orleans Saints – $23.07MM over the cap
- Arizona Cardinals – $6.44MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers – $2.901MM
- New England Patriots – $1.945MM
- San Francisco 49ers – $928,000
Here are some of the highlights of actions Corry suggests that would help them get under the cap in order to have a successful offseason:
Saints
- Pass rusher Junior Galette could see his contract restructured to open up $10MM, despite signing the extension this past offseason.
- Another contract doled off last offseason that can be restructured is of prized free agent Jairus Byrd, which could open up $5.6MM in cap space.
- A third contract from last offseason that can be restructured is that of tight end Jimmy Graham. That move could save $4.77MM in cap space.
- Both of their Pro Bowl guards are suddenly highly paid luxuries as they have seen their performance drop, and Jahri Evans and Ben Grubbs are candidates for release. If cut, they will free up $6.6MM and $3.6MM, respectively.
- Veteran receiver Marques Colston holds a $9.7MM cap number, and has seen a sharp decline in his play. It will be a tougher cut, but is a candidate to be released.
- The team could restructure Drew Brees‘ contract again, although they will only push their cap problems into the future in exchange for immediate relief.
- Releasing linebacker David Hawthorne will free up $2.99MM in cap space if he is released before his $2.5MM roster bonus on the third day of the 2015 league year.
Cardinals
- If the team is not going to release Larry Fitzgerald, it could hope that he takes a modest pay cut. A deal that would see him reduce his salary to $10MM per season would create enormous cap relief.
- Daryl Washington has not seen the field during his suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, and he could be a cap casualty this offseason.
- Carson Palmer‘s recent extension could be restructured despite him being out with injury, freeing up to $7.125MM in cap space.
- The team may have to pass on retaining Antonio Cromartie, despite getting a very good year from the cornerback on a one-year deal.
Steelers
- Ben Roethlisberger is in line for a new deal to keep him steady as the team’s franchise quarterback, but signing a new deal would likely bring less than $5MM in cap room.
- Longtime Steeler and likely Hall of Fame safety Troy Polamalu may be a cap casualty if he does not retire, which would save the team $3.7MM in cap space.
- Corry writes that is unusual for a team to admit a mistake so quickly, but Cortez Allen was terrible after receiving his extension in September. The team could open up a little cap space by releasing him after one season.
- The team is unlikely to place the transition tag on Jason Worilds again, and could mitigate the loss of the outside linebacker if James Harrison suits up for another season with the team.
Patriots
- The obvious move for the Patriots would be signing Darrelle Revis to a long-term deal, which would create substantial cap space. The team is unlikely to keep him in 2015 at his current number. They will open $20MM in cap space if they do not keep him on the roster.
- The Patriots could open up $4MM in cap space by restructuring Tom Brady‘s contract.
- The team will likely ask linebacker Jerod Mayo to take a pay cut, or they may release him. Corry writes that his $4.5MM injury guarantee will be the only thing that potentially saves him from being released.
- Danny Amendola will be expendable, and cutting him will free up $2.1MM in cap room or $4.5MM if he is designated a post June 1st cut.
- Vince Wilfork could also become a cap casualty, as the team will have to decide whether to guarantee his contract for 2015 and 2016. Releasing him will free up $7.566MM in cap room.
- The team could also recoup some money from Aaron Hernandez‘ signing bonus if the grievance ruling comes back favorable for the Patriots.
49ers
- The 49ers could restructure Colin Kaepernick‘s contract to lower his 2015 cap number.
- Linebacker Ahmad Brooks may be released, freeing up a little over $4MM in cap room.
- Another staple of the team, Vernon Davis, could be released as performance has dropped. The team would gain $4.95MM from releasing him.
- If Aldon Smith‘s off-field troubles are too much for the 49ers, the team could decline his 2015 option and pick up $9.754MM in cap space.
- The team could pass on re-signing Michael Crabtree, and will likely cut Stevie Johnson and save just over $6MM unless they lose Crabtree and replace him with Johnson.
- The team will most likely not seek to bring Frank Gore back to the team, unless it is at an extremely reasonable number.
AFC East Notes: Vick, Wilfork, Clay
Michael Vick‘s season in New York likely didn’t go as planned, and the quarterback doesn’t sound like he’s anxious for a return to the Jets next season.
“I don’t know, I couldn’t say right now,” Vick said yesterday (via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com). “I’d have to talk to my agent and see what’s the best situation for me. Obviously, this organization has to do what’s best for them. I really can’t say right now, but hopefully I have a chance to play somewhere and continue to give that effort.”
“I still feel like I can start. I still feel like I can play at a high level, like I said. I think with the right talent around me and good structure I feel like I can win some games.
“I still feel like I have a lot left in the tank. I can’t say it’s five years worth, but maybe it’s a good solid two. I’m just going to train for that, get ready for that and set my mindset. If it doesn’t happen and I have to grind my way back up to a starting position, then that’s what it will be. I think at the end of the day my mindset is to just continue to play football. I love the game. I want to continue to play until it’s all out of me.”
Let’s check out some more notes from the division…
- One thing you can say about Geno Smith is that the quarterback does not lack confidence. Smith told reporters (including ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini) that he envisions himself being the Jets quarterback for “a long time.”
- One part of Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork‘s restructured contract called for a $2.5MM boost should the former Pro Bowler play at least 70 percent of the team’s defensive snaps this season. As Tom E. Curran of CSNNewEngland.com points out, if the team decides to sit Wilfork this weekend, he likely won’t reach the required number.
- The Bills released Alan Branch in late August, and he caught on with the Patriots soon after. The defensive tackle has played well in New England, but his former coach isn’t bitter about the player’s production for a rival. “I see him playing with a lot of enthusiasm,” Doug Marrone told Curran. “Obviously we’re happy for him. Obviously, you don’t like playing against good football players and Alan’s a very good football player. You see him making plays and you see him out there having fun and he brings a lot of energy and he’s a solid football player and he’s playing well.”
- James Walker of ESPN.com says Dolphins tight end Charles Clay wants to stay with Miami. The upcoming free agent told Walker that he’d love to ink a long-term extension, and the writer believes there would be mutual interest. However, both sides may have different opinions on the player’s value.
Examining Notable Pro Bowlers’ Contracts
The NFL announced its Pro Bowl rosters on Tuesday night, a collection of 42 offensive players, 36 defenders, and eight special teams players. The list features the usual suspects such as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Aaron Rodgers, as well as new faces like Le’Veon Bell, T.Y. Hilton, and Chris Harris, and can be viewed in full right here (PDF link).
Among the 86 players initially selected to appear in the game, several have signed new contracts in 2014, many more will be eligible for new deals in 2015, and others will receive a bump in pay based on their Pro Bowl nods. Here’s a breakdown of the Pro Bowl players with notable contract situations:
Recently signed or extended:
- Jamaal Charles, RB (Chiefs): Signed two-year, $18MM extension in July.
- Vontae Davis, CB (Colts): Signed four-year, $36MM contract in March.
- Jimmy Graham, TE (Saints): Signed four-year, $40MM contract in July.
- Brent Grimes, CB (Dolphins): Signed four-year, $32MM contract in March.
- Joe Haden, CB (Browns): Signed five-year, $67.5MM extension in May.
- Chris Harris, CB (Broncos): Signed a five-year, $42.5MM extension in December.
- Devin Hester, KR (Falcons): Signed three-year, $9MM contract in March (changed teams).
- Jason Kelce, C (Eagles): Signed six-year, $37.5MM extension in February.
- John Kuhn, FB (Packers): Signed one-year, $1.03MM contract in April.
- Pat McAfee, P (Colts): Signed five-year, $14.5MM contract in March.
- Gerald McCoy, DT (Buccaneers): Signed seven-year, $95.2MM extension in October.
- Jordy Nelson, WR (Packers): Signed four-year, $39.05MM extension in July.
- Jason Peters, T (Eagles): Signed four-year, $38.3MM extension in February.
- Patrick Peterson, CB (Cardinals): Signed five-year, $70.05MM extension in July.
- Maurkice Pouncey, C (Steelers): Signed five-year, $44.14MM extension in June.
- Robert Quinn, DE (Rams): Signed four-year, $57MM extension in September.
- Darrelle Revis, CB (Patriots): Signed two-year, $32MM contract in March (changed teams).
- Richard Sherman, CB (Seahawks): Signed four-year, $56MM extension in May.
- Matt Slater, ST (Patriots): Signed two-year, $4MM extension in November.
- Tyron Smith, T (Cowboys): Signed eight-year, $97.6MM extension in July.
- Darren Sproles, PR (Eagles): Traded by Saints, then signed two-year, $7MM extension in March (changed teams).
- Joe Staley, T (49ers): Signed two-year, $19.6MM extension in July.
- Aqib Talib, CB (Broncos): Signed six-year, $57MM contract in March (changed teams).
- Earl Thomas, S (Seahawks): Signed four-year, $40MM extension in April.
- Adam Vinatieri, K (Colts): Signed two-year, $5MM contract in March.
- T.J. Ward, S (Broncos): Signed four-year, $22.5MM contract in March (changed teams).
- DeMarcus Ware, OLB (Broncos): Signed three-year, $30MM contract in March (changed teams).
- J.J. Watt, DE (Texans): Signed six-year, $100MM extension in September.
Eligible for free agency in 2015:
- Dez Bryant, WR (Cowboys)
- Tashaun Gipson, S (Browns), restricted
- Stephen Gostkowski, K (Patriots)
- Justin Houston, OLB (Chiefs)
- Mike Iupati, G (49ers)
- John Kuhn, FB (Packers)
- DeMarco Murray, RB (Cowboys)
- Ndamukong Suh, DT (Lions)
- Demaryius Thomas, WR (Broncos)
- Julius Thomas, TE (Broncos)
Received Pro Bowl bonuses:
(via Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap)
- Mario Williams, DE (Bills): $400K
- Matt Slater, ST (Patriots): $300K
- Pat McAfee, P (Colts): $250K
- Josh Sitton, G (Packers): $250K escalator
- Kyle Williams, DT (Bills): $150K
- Kam Chancellor, S (Seahawks): $100K
- Joe Haden, CB (Browns): $100K
- Marcel Reece, FB (Raiders): $100K
- Darren Sproles, PR (Eagles): $100K
Perhaps the most interesting – or at least unusual – takeaway from this data is the abundance of cornerbacks on the first list. In fact, all eight cornerbacks initially named as Pro Bowlers (Davis, Grimes, Haden, Harris, Peterson, Revis, Sherman, and Talib) have signed new contracts, either extensions or free agent deals, since March. Rival teams hoping to get their hands on a Pro Bowl corner this offseason will have to focus on Revis — he’s the only one of the eight who can reasonably be expected to become available within the next few months, due to the structure of his contract with the Pats.
Data from Over the Cap was used in the creation of this post.
Practice Squad Updates: Tuesday
Today’s practice squad news:
- The Seahawks made several changes to their practice squad today, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, who tweets that tight end Rashaun Allen, wide receiver Douglas McNeil, and safety Dion Bailey have all been signed to the unit. In a second tweet, Condotta adds that tight end Gator Hoskins and defensive tackle Jimmy Staten have been cut to accommodate the incoming additions.
- Linebacker Justin Jackson has taken the final opening on the Raiders‘ practice squad, the team announced today (via Twitter).
- The Chiefs have re-signed tight end Adam Schiltz to their practice squad, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). The team had cut Schiltz from the unit a week ago.
Earlier updates:
- To make up for the departure of Rishaw Johnson, the Giants added linebacker Uani ‘Unga to the taxi squad, according to Jordan Raanan of the Newark Star-Ledger (via Twitter).
- The Patriots signed defensive end/outside linebacker Cam Henderson while releasing cornerback Daxton Swanson, according to Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com (via Twitter).
- The 49ers signed undrafted rookie nose tackle Garrison Smith to the taxi squad, according to Matt Barrows of CSNBayArea.com (via Twitter). Smith spent time with the Dolphins and Saints this year.
- The Titans signed cornerback Ri’Shard Anderson to their practice squad, according to Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Anderson was with the Titans’ taxi squad in September after being one of the final cuts before the 53-man deadline in late August.