Extension Talks Underway For McCourty, Casey
The Patriots have reached out to Devin McCourty‘s camp to begin contract negotiations for the standout safety, who is in the final year of his rookie deal, reports Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (Twitter link) clarifies that while the Pats have informed McCourty they’re interested in an extension, the two sides haven’t officially begun to negotiate specific figures yet.
Meanwhile, according to Breer (via Twitter), McCourty isn’t the only notable AFC defender whose team is eyeing a new contract — nose tackle Jurrell Casey and the Titans have also had early discussions about an extension.
McCourty, 26, didn’t post the same flashy numbers in 2013 that he has in past seasons, grabbing just one interception after totaling 14 in his first three NFL seasons. However, the former 27th overall pick received excellent scores for his overall performance from Pro Football Focus (subscription required), whose grades ranked him as the league’s best safety in ’13. Given the big-money deals signed by fellow safeties like Jairus Byrd and Earl Thomas in recent months, McCourty should be in line for a multiyear contract that rivals the $9-10MM annual salaries earned by those players.
As for Casey, the 24-year-old is coming off a breakout season in which he compiled 10.5 sacks and 55 tackles, ranking fourth among 69 qualified defensive tackles, per PFF’s metrics (subscription required). Casey’s pass-rushing grades placed him behind only Gerald McCoy and Ndamukong Suh as an interior rusher, as he racked up 54 quarterback pressures for the season. Not coincidentally, Suh and McCoy are the league’s top two highest-paid defensive tackles by per-year salary, so Casey, who will earn a $1.431MM base salary in the last year of his rookie contract, should also expect a lucrative long-term deal.
AFC Links: Williams, Chiefs, Bengals, Jags
Veteran defensive tackle Kevin Williams is visiting with the Patriots today, reports CSNNE.com’s Tom Curran (via Twitter). The six-time Pro Bowler previously met with the Giants and Seahawks, but warned that he may retire if he didn’t receive an offer he liked. Yesterday, Williams jokingly asked for USA Today’s Tom Pelissero’s assistance in connecting him with New England.
Let’s take a look at some more notes and minor moves from the AFC…
- The Chiefs are working out former Troy University quarterback Deon Anthony, reports Aaron Wilson of NationalFootballPost.com. Last season, the versatile senior rushed for 432 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw five scores and caught ten passes. The Chargers worked out Anthony in April.
- The Bengals have claimed former Steelers wideout Jasper Collins, tweets Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. Collins was let go by Pittsburgh yesterday.
- The Jaguars claimed wide receiver Kevin Smith and subsequently waived long snapper Trevor Gillette, tweets John Oehser of Jaguars.com. Smith was waived by the Cardinals yesterday while Gillette was signed as an undrafted free agent about a month ago.
AFC Notes: Kirksey, Ridley, Pats, Gilreath
With few, if any, impact free agents left on the board and the draft behind us, most rosters around the league are starting to resemble what we’ll see during the 2014 regular season, at least once teams have made their cuts. But that doesn’t mean that those rosters aren’t without their holes. In an Insider-only piece for ESPN.com, Tom Gower of Football Outsiders breaks down the AFC West, looking at the remaining needs for the Broncos, Chiefs, Chargers, and Raiders. Those most notable holes are on the offensive side of the ball for the Chiefs (pass-catcher) and Raiders (offensive lineman), and on defense for the Broncos (middle linebacker) and Chargers (cornerback).
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- The Browns have agreed to terms with third-round linebacker Christian Kirksey, the team confirmed today (via Twitter). The agreement, which includes a signing bonus worth about $663K was first reported by Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.
- Patriots running back Stevan Ridley is entering the final year of his rookie deal, but he told reporters today, including Albert Breer of the NFL Network, that he’s focused on playing “mistake-free” football rather than on his contract situation (Twitter link).
- Field Yates of ESPNBoston.com has the details on James Anderson‘s minimum salary benefit contract with the Patriots, which includes a $15K signing bonus and a $50K roster bonus if he makes the team.
- The Raiders have signed former Wisconsin wideout David Gilreath, agent Sean Stellato tells Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (Twitter link). Gilreath recorded his first and only career NFL reception during the 2012 season for the Steelers.
Extra Points: Blount, Allen, Anderson, Titans
Interviews with a cross section of executives, analysts, and observers suggest the landscape is ripe for an NFL-sanctioned developmental league to replace NFL Europe, writes Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. There is some concern that it will be a money pit as NFL Europe lost $30MM for the league, but a competitive TV deal would assuage those concerns. More from around the league..
- Steelers running back LeGarrette Blount told SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link) that he was surprised that there wasn’t more money spent on the free agent running back market this offseason. He went on to say that Toby Gerhart, who landed with the Jaguars, shouldn’t have been the highest paid RB of the bunch. Blount himself got a two-year, $3.85MM deal from Pittsburgh.
- Raiders coach Dennis Allen is happy with his club’s offseason haul, but the third-year coach didn’t get the veteran tight end he wanted, writes Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. Oakland has been connected to free agent tight end Jermichael Finley, but as it stands, the team will have to find its man from among a group that includes David Ausberry, Mychal Rivera, and Nick Kasa.
- Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com looks at the Patriots‘ linebacker corps after the signing of veteran James Anderson. Anderson has worn down in the second half of recent seasons, but New England is probably planning on giving him a more limited workload compared to what he’s used to.
- The Titans have agreed to terms with cornerback Marc Anthony, according to Jim Wyatt of The Tenneseean (on Twitter). Wide receiver Josh Stewart was waived in order to make room.
Patriots Sign James Anderson
The Patriots have signed former Carolina and Chicago linebacker James Anderson to a contract, according to Field Yates of ESPNBoston.com (via Twitter). To clear a spot on the roster for Anderson, the team has parted ways with wide receiver Mark Harrison.
Anderson, 30, was one of the more notable veteran linebackers still on the market, having started all 16 games last season for the Bears. While Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required) ranked Anderson 33rd out of 35 qualified 4-3 outside linebackers, his poor grade was due in large part to subpar performance against the run — he was one of the league’s more effective linebackers in pass coverage. The former third-round pick also accumulated 102 tackles and four quarterback sacks.
Because he’s being signed after June 1, Anderson is no longer linked to the compensatory draft pick formula that determines which teams are rewarded with extra 2015 picks for losing more free agents than they signed. The veteran linebacker had worked out for the Pats last month, so the club may have been biding its time until June to officially lock him up.
AFC Notes: Colts, Steelers, Broncos, Williams
Let’s check in on a few of the latest notes from around the AFC, including a pair of teams making minor transactions….
- After waiving a pair of players yesterday, the Colts have filled those roster spots by signing two players today. Cornerback Johnny Adams and center FN Lutz have signed with the team, according to Craig Kelley of Colts.com (via Twitter). Adams spent some time with the Bills and Raiders in 2013, while Lutz went undrafted this year out of Indiana State.
- The Steelers swapped one wide receiver for another, according to PR man Burt Lauten, who tweets that the club has signed California alum C.J. Goodwin and cut Jasper Collins.
- Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review wonders if the Steelers might look to bring back veteran Brett Keisel. Pittsburgh is quite thin at defensive end and the longtime Steeler could return as a backup and mentor to second-round draft pick Stephon Tuitt. Still, we heard yesterday from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Keisel isn’t currently willing to play for the veteran’s minimum.
- In his latest mailbag for the Denver Post, Mike Klis fields several Broncos-related questions from readers, discussing John Elway‘s ability to recruit free agents, the club’s 2014 draft class, and Andre Caldwell‘s role for 2014.
- When Tom Pelissero of USA Today suggested to free agent defensive tackle Kevin Williams that he views the Patriots as a potential fit for the veteran DT, Williams chuckled. “Well, give them a call,” he said. “Tell them to look me up.” Based on Williams’ comment, it sounds like New England hasn’t been in touch, but he confirmed that at least a couple teams have called and that he continues to weigh his options.
East Notes: Bryant, Finley, Dolphins, Eagles
In examining what a possible extension for Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant could look like, Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap focuses on the top-of-the-market players who signed big deals before the age of 30 — it’s a list that includes Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Percy Harvin, Mike Wallace, Dwayne Bowe, and Vincent Jackson. Bryant’s two goals in this negotiation, Fitzgerald writes, should be to establish that he is above those bottom four names and to convince Dallas to pay him like the top two.
Here’s more from around the league’s two East divisions:
- There are “a good half-dozen teams in quiet pursuit” of free agent tight end Jermichael Finley, according to Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report. Freeman predicts that Finley will ultimately sign with the Patriots, the club the former Packer visited last Friday after being medically cleared by his doctor.
- Although Dan Marino and the Dolphins have talked about a possible position within the organization for the Hall of Fame quarterback, the two sides have been unable to figure out a role for him so far, says Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. According to Salguero, the club would love to have Marino aboard for PR and marketing purposes, while Marino would like a role with some actual power (all Twitter links).
- The Eagles have made a number of changes to their scouting and personnel departments, the team announced today. Notably, Rick Mueller has been promoted to director of pro player personnel.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
AFC Notes: Gilbert, Florence, Marino
Browns rookie cornerback Justin Gilbert is excited to return kicks for the Browns, writes Tom Reed of the Northeast Ohio Media Group. “There is nothing like taking one to the house,” Gilbert said. “I tell a couple of my teammates, ‘It’s like your Mama’s cooking, it’s finger lickin good.” Gilbert, the No. 8 overall pick in the draft, set a Big-12 record with six career kickoff returns for touchdowns. More from the AFC..
- The Titans had cornerback Drayton Florence in for a visit today, according to Albert Breer of NFL Network (via Twitter). Now that June 1st has come and gone, Florence is no longer tied to a compensatory draft pick. The 33-year-old played in 14 games for the Panthers last season.
- It turns out that former Dolphins great Dan Marino won’t be suing the NFL after all. The Hall of Fame quarterback released a statement to Peter King of The MMQB and other reporters saying, in short, that he never intended to sue the league. People close to Marino feared that the lawsuit could hurt him as he talks with Dolphins CEO Tom Garfinkel about a potential job, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN.com. The NFL told Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (via Twitter) that it has not and would not tell Miami or any other club not to hire a former player suing the league.
- After signing a five-year deal worth $28MM last offseason, Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola wants to show his stuff in 2014, writes Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. Amendola was the subject of of trade and cut rumors this offseason but was probably saved by his hefty contract. If the oft-injured receiver doesn’t deliver this season, he’s likely a goner in New England since there isn’t a ton of dead money on his deal beyond ’14.
East Notes: Eagles, Finley, Cowboys, Dolphins
Veteran center Jason Kelce was one of the first Eagles to tweet out a message in support of the organization when the club released DeSean Jackson earlier in the offseason, but as he explained on Monday (link via Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com), his comments weren’t intended as a shot at the former Philadelphia wideout.
“I really have no personal problems with DeSean. Never did when he was here,” Kelce said. “All I was trying to say is, ‘Listen, this team has been going in a great direction this whole offseason, let’s not lose focus on what we’ve been trying to do the entire offseason. This one instance gets blown out of proportion when really the entire offseason we’ve had great direction, we’ve had great focus by our coaching staff and our organization, let’s have trust in that.”
Here’s more from around the NFL’s two East divisions:
- Jermichael Finley’s free agent visit to the Patriots, which was reported yesterday, was “exclusively for medical evaluation of his spinal fusion surgery,” tweets ESPN.com’s Ed Werder. The tight end has been medically cleared by his personal doctor, but team doctors will want to perform their own evaluations.
- The NFLPA has been convinced that Sean Lee‘s ACL injury was not the result of contact with Zack Martin and that the Cowboys didn’t break any OTA rules, a source tells Werder (Twitter link).
- Middle linebacker is an area of concern for the Dolphins, and while Miami missed out on adding a free agent like D’Qwell Jackson in March, the team is hoping that Koa Misi can make the transition to the inside, as Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald outlines.
- In the view of Jordan Raanan of NJ.com, the Giants did Will Hill a favor by cutting him, since the troubled safety could use a change of scenery. We’ll find out soon whether Hill, who is facing a six-game suspension, will be claimed off waivers or become an unrestricted free agent.
AFC East Notes: Marino, Dareus, Patriots
Former Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino has joined 14 former players in suing the NFL, reports Nathan Fenno of the Los Angeles Times. In an 18-page complaint, the litigants claim that the league withheld ” information about football-related brain injuries and misled players,” allegations that the NFL has long denied. Marino, who retired in 1999, had been a broadcaster with CBS’ The NFL Today from 2002 until January 2014, leading Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post to wonder (via Twitter) if Marino would have been involved in the lawsuit had his relationship with CBS (and tangentially, the NFL) not been terminated.
More news from the AFC East:
- Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, already facing felony charges in Alabama stemming from a May incident, was arrested last week and charged on seven counts regarding a car race, according to James Staas of the Buffalo News. Dareus, whose 2015 option was exercised in April, could face an NFL suspension. This latest episode could also dissuade the Bills from offering Dareus an extension; in February, Buffalo general manager Doug Whaley said a new deal was “on the radar,” but perhaps not a priority.
- The Bills have several options regarding Dareus, writes ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak, which include releasing the Pro Bowler immediately (unlikely), releasing him following the 2014 season (his 2015 option is guaranteed for injury only) or allowing him to play out his contract.
- ESPNBoston.com’s Mike Reiss and Field Yates offer opinions on several complementary free agents who have been linked to the Patriots, opining that New England should sign linebacker James Anderson and tight end Dustin Keller, while passing on tight end Jermichael Finley (who visited the team last week) and running back Michael Bush.
- New Dolphins running back Knowshon Moreno appears to be out of shape at OTAs, and is playing behind Lamar Miller, writes James Walker of ESPN.com.
- Walker, in a series of tweets, adds that free agent signee Louis Delmas is happy with the Dolphins’ roster: “I see a group of guys that want to win. We don’t have any 14- or 15-year vets on the team,” said Delmas. “This is a very young group that’s determined to get better each and every day. I plan on being a part of that.”