AFC Links: Texans, Browns, Pats, Raiders
Asked today on the Dan Patrick Show (video link) if he believes he should be picked first overall in May’s draft, Jadeveon Clowney said yes, but former Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips would go a different direction if he were making the call for Houston. Appearing on 610 SportsRadio in Houston (hat tip to Pro Football Talk), Phillips said he told Texans ownership that he believes quarterback Johnny Manziel is the best choice for the franchise.
“Those kinds of guys who can make first downs when you’re not supposed to, I think they give you something.” Phillips said. “I just think he makes plays that nobody else can make.”
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, who has maintained that the Texans intend to take a QB with the No. 1 pick, tweets that, with so much of the process still remaining, the team doesn’t yet favor one of the top three (Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater, or Blake Bortles). The club still has three months to decide what it’ll do with that top pick so in the meantime, let’s round up a few more updates from across the AFC….
- After the trade of Trent Richardson, running back devolved into the weakest position on the Browns‘ roster, and will need to be addressed this offseason, says Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com.
- Noting that the Patriots typically spend as little as possible on a backup quarterback, Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston writes that it would make sense if the club selects a QB in the draft’s middle rounds, with Ryan Mallett a good bet to depart via free agency in a year.
- The Raiders announced four additions to their coaching staff today, including defensive backs coach Joe Woods, according to a team release.
- Mike Wells of ESPN.com discussed the Colts with former Browns scout Matt Williamson, who suggested that Indianapolis could use some help on the interior of the offensive line, as well as just about everywhere on defense.
Asante Samuel Rumors: Wednesday
The Falcons released Asante Samuel earlier today, and while getting cut is rarely good news for a veteran player, the Falcons did Samuel a favor by releasing him this early in the offseason, as noted by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Because Samuel is a veteran with more than four years of service, being released over a month in advance of free agency will allow him to get a head start on finding a new home for 2014. Players with less than four years of service would have to clear waivers before being eligible for free agency.
Because Samuel is able to sign with a team at any time, rumors are already flying about his possible suitors. One school of thought suggests the 33-year-old cornerback would sign on a relatively cheap deal with a playoff-caliber team looking to add a veteran to its secondary. A few clubs that would seem to make sense are the Broncos, Packers, Bears, and Patriots, according to Brett Sobileski of USAToday.com. He also notes that the Panthers could be an intriguing option, considering their struggles in the secondary and defensive coordinator Sean McDermott‘s familiarity with Samuel from their time with the Eagles.
Of course, as fast as these rumors start, they get shot down. The more likely scenario for the Panthers would be to re-sign Captain Munnerlyn, and look to replace Drayton Florence with a younger, cheaper free agent option, writes Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer. He adds that the team was impressed with undrafted rookie Melvin White‘s improvement in 2013, and would only consider Samuel as an “emergency fall-back option.”
The Patriots would also be better off trying to re-sign their own free agent cornerback, writes Will Gellman of RantSports.com. He believes that the aging Samuel is not worth taking up cap space that could go to Aqib Talib or other free agents. Gellman also adds that Patriot fans might not be excited to see him back after he dropped an errant Eli Manning pass in Super Bowl XLII that could have sealed a perfect season for New England.
The Bears and Broncos both are already dealing with the potential loss of older, high-profile cornerbacks, as Charles Tillman is hitting free agency and Champ Bailey has a $10MM salary that will surely not be on the books in 2014, either via restructure or release. The Broncos are also expected to try to sign Samuel’s former teammate Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to a long-term deal. The Packers will most likely focus their efforts first on trying to re-sign Sam Shields.
AFC Notes: Wilkerson, Incognito, Colts
Muhammad Wilkerson was arguably the best player on the Jets last season, and even that may not truly be very “arguable.” In his third year, the defensive end led the team in sacks, and positioned himself for a big contract extension. However, extension talks may have stalled, meaning it could begin to resemble the Darrelle Revis situation from a few years ago, writes Brian Costello of the New York Post.
The Jets hold all the leverage in negotiations, because they hold Wilkerson’s rights over the next two seasons for a bargain price of $7.2MM, and if they franchise tag him after next season, they’ll still have him for the cheap price of about $19MM depending on the tag number. At the same time, Costello notes that the Jets’ goal is to get a long-term contract in place. Here are some other free agency notes from the AFC:
- While the Richie Incognito controversy last season will most likely preclude him from signing with the Dolphins, the free agent guard should still have suitors this offseason. One team that could use his services is the Raiders, writes Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. The Raiders’ interior offensive line was unimpressive last season, struggling to find consistency at the guard positions. Raider offensive coordinator Greg Olsen coached Incognito in St. Louis in 2006-07, and stood up for the troubled lineman during the season when the allegations of bullying first came out.
- The Colts‘ number one priority this offseason should be re-signing their own free agents, according to Mike Wells of ESPN.com. He writes that Vontae Davis, Pat McAfee, and Antoine Bethea should be the first three players taken care of, before the team starts thinking about bringing in new pieces.
- Dane Fletcher is not one of the most notable free agents the Patriots have to worry about, and if the linebacker is looking for a bigger role, then he is better off leaving New England, writes Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com. While the Patriots don’t necessarily need him (he only played 209 snaps on defense in 2013), even with the assumed departure of Brandon Spikes, Curran believes the Patriots would welcome him back.
AFC Notes: Texans, Chargers, Dolphins, Pats
Texans‘ head coach Bill O’Brien has been very quiet since getting the top job in Houston, but has finally announced the 16 assistant coaches he has hired to fill out the coaching staff, according to HoustonTexans.com. The new hires are highlighted by his new defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, who held that same post with the Patriots during their three Super Bowls from 2001-2004, and new director of football research Jim Bernhardt, who was O’Brien’s special assistant to the head coach and director of player development at Penn State. The hires that were not made may have been just as important, as the team retained special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky, and notably O’Brien decided not to hire an offensive coordinator. Here are some other news items from across the AFC:
- The Chargers have decided not to opt out of their lease with Qualcomm Stadium, reports Ricky Henne of Chargers.com. The team will play its home games there in 2014, while the organization continues to explore stadium solutions in San Diego.
- It is no secret that the Dolphins plan to move on from the Richie Incognito–Jonathan Martin controversy, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. However, while Incognito is a free agent, Martin will not be as simple to let go. The Dolphins would like to trade him, but they know if they cannot find a deal that they will have to release him for nothing. Unfortunately, the rest of the league knows that as well, and other franchises might be content to wait until Martin is released.
- The Patriots have exercised the franchise tag eight times since the 2002 offseason, writes Christopher Price of WEEI.com. The two impending free agents that would be most likely to receive the tag are Aqib Talib and Julian Edelman. However, placing the tag on either player would result in a one-year-deal worth over $11MM. The Patriots are more likely to either use it to keep the player from hitting free agency while they negotiate a long-term contract, or possibly not use it at all for the second consecutive year.
Extra Points: Cassel, Muamba, L.A., Patriots
Fans of Phil Simms and Jim Nantz will be pleased with the NFL’s new schedule for Thursday Night Football, which will feature eight 2014 games broadcast by CBS and eight by the NFL Network, according to an official release. All 16 games, however, will be produced by CBS and will feature Simms and Nantz on color and play-by-play respectively. Here’s more from around the NFL:
- With Matt Cassel voiding the final year on his contract with the Vikings, Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com predicts that the free agent quarterback will be seeking a salary in the neighborhood of $4-5MM this offseason.
- The CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers have released linebacker Henoc Muamba, allowing him to pursue NFL opportunities, the team announced today in a press release (hat tip to Pro Football Talk). The first overall pick in the CFL’s 2011 draft, Muamba has reportedly worked out for multiple NFL teams in recent months, including the Ravens, Colts, and Browns.
- In an interesting piece, Jack Bechta of the National Football Post draws on his extensive experience as a player agent to explain how the NFL’s free agent period really works.
- While it doesn’t sound like Los Angeles is on the verge of getting an NFL team anytime in the immediate future, Tim Newcomb of SI.com writes that there are now three potentially viable stadium locations in the area for an NFL franchise.
- Safety may not be an area of need for the Patriots in 2014, but the team should keep it in mind for the future, says Field Yates of ESPNBoston.com.
AFC Notes: Alex Smith, Broncos, Ravens, Pats
Alex Smith is eligible for free agency next winter, but the Chiefs intend to keep their quarterback around longer than that. Team chairman Clark Hunt told 810 WHB in Kansas City (link via Adam Teicher of ESPN.com) that when the Chiefs traded for Smith, a long-term extension was part of their plan.
“I don’t think that thinking has changed,” Hunt said. “He came in and did a nice job. We’re glad to have him as a part of the Kansas City Chiefs and we hope it’s longer than a two-year stay.”
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- A number of prospective Denver free agents, including Eric Decker, Shaun Phillips, and Mike Adams, have expressed a preference to remain with the Broncos, but it looks like the team will let its free agents hit the open market, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. At that point, the Broncos will have a better understanding of its players’ market value, though it may reduce the likelihood of bringing back certain players.
- Jeff Zrebiec passes along a number of interesting Ravens-related items in his latest piece for the Baltimore Sun. In discussing the team’s draft plans. Zrebiec surmises that the Ravens will likely target either an offensive lineman or a receiving weapon with their first-round pick, though Zrebiec himself thinks it could make sense to draft a playmaking safety.
- Free agent safety Antoine Bethea won’t be a “slam-dunk signing” for the Colts this winter, as Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star details.
- Christopher L. Gasper of the Boston Globe believes the Patriots ought to be focusing less on shoring up the bottom third of their roster and more on acquiring impact talent.
Extra Points: Packers, Muamba, Polian
Weston Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette thinks that the Packers will be forced to lean heavily on a cadre of young defensive lineman that will step into starting roles next season. Defensive linemen Mike Daniels, Datone Jones, and Jerel Worthy will likely replace departing free agents B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, and Johnny Jolly on the defensive front of the Packers’ base 3-4 defense. Defensive line coach Mike Trgovac expects Jones and Worthy to mimic Daniels’ 2013 campaign with breakout performances next year.
A few more Monday night notes:
- Adrian Wilson is ready and excited for his 2014 comeback season with the Patriots after spending the entire 2013 season on the IR with a hamstring injury, writes Tom E. Curran of Comcast SportsNet New England.
- The Ravens tried out Canadian Football League middle linebacker Henoc Muamba earlier today, according to a report from Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.
- Bill Polian sat down with Tom E. Curran of Comcast SportsNet New England and discussed the Patriots needs in the impending offseason. Polian thinks that the Patriots will target a receiving tight end. He also imagines Bill Belichick will pursue a more balanced offensive game plan to take pressure off of Tom Brady. In the piece, Polian also weighs in on the ongoing debate of whether Peyton Manning or Brady is a better quarterback.
AFC East Notes: Talib, Edelman, Wilkerson
The Patriots want cornerback Aqib Talib to return, but it’s a matter of price tag, writes Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com. Talib is a highly effective player when healthy, but injury concerns figure to drive his contract demands down. Reiss projects a three-to-four-year deal at around $8MM annually, with guarantees in the neighborhood of $12-14MM, figures similar to those in Antonio Cromartie‘s contract signed before the 2011 season. Like last year, it stands to be a buyer’s market in terms of cornerbacks, with other options like Brent Grimes, Alterraun Verner, and Vontae Davis available. Reiss ultimately believes Talib will re-sign with the Patriots.
Other notes from the AFC East:
- Within the same post, Reiss indicates that Julian Edelman could approach the salary range of Danny Amendola, who was guaranteed $10MM over five years. While the Patriots could likely afford this, Reiss sees Edelman moving on, and identifies the Texans, with former Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien now in charge, as a top suitor.
- The Patriots could stand to improve with regards to signing veteran free agents. Last season, they paid about $14MM to Amendola, Adrian Wilson, Tommy Kelly, and Leon Washington, and got little to no return.
- Some in the industry believe Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson should hold out during training camp in an attempt to get a new contract, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Wilkerson is due only a maximum of $7.2MM over the next two seasons, assuming the Jets exercise his 2015 option.
- Cimini urges the Jets to get involved in any Larry Fitzgerald trade discussions, although he notes that Fitzgerald’s $18MM 2014 cap hit could be troublesome.
AFC Notes: Kraft, Talib, Wilson, Blackmon
Patriots owner Robert Kraft sat down with Michael Felger and Tony Massarotti on Boston’s 98.5 The Sports Hub (full interview here), addressing the team’s window to contend for a championship in relation to 36-year-old quarterback Tom Brady‘s twilight years. When asked if the closing window inspires the organization to be more aggressive in surrounding Brady with win-now players, Kraft brushed off the philosophy: “We have to try to sustain success by managing as wisely as we can. It’s not dependent on any one player. . .I think a better strategy is to try to be solid and be able to compete year in and year out.”
- When asked about free agent-to-be Aqib Talib, Kraft laid the groundwork for the team’s typical hardball approach, saying, “He wasn’t on the field a lot of the time since he’s been with us.” However, in the next breath, Kraft expressed his belief that both parties would be interested in extending the relationship: “I think he’s happy here and would like to be here, and we’re happy with him and we’d like to have him here. Now it’s just about doing business.”
- Patriots veteran safety Adrian Wilson, who spent the year on IR, spoke with “The Drive” with Jody, MJ and Bauer on Fox Sports 910 AM Phoenix, saying he doesn’t know if he’ll be back in New England despite signing a three-year deal in 2013.
- Jaguars owner Shad Khan “absolutely” wants suspended receiver Justin Blackmon back on the team when he is reinstated, according to Florida Times-Union beat writer Ryan O’Halloran (via Twitter).
- In theory, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton should be entering his prime, but it’s not unreasonable to draft another quarterback, according to ESPN’s Cole Harvey.
Extra Points: London, Cromartie, FA Tryouts
During his State of the NFL presser this morning, commissioner Roger Goodell downplayed speculation about the possibility of the Rams moving to Los Angeles, but sounded more bullish about the city of London getting an NFL team. According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link), Goodell said that selling out three games for the 2014 season helped push London “further down the road” toward a franchise. Meanwhile, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald tweets that, in his opinion, the question isn’t whether or not London will eventually get a team, but rather whether it will be via expansion or relocation.
- Jets head coach Rex Ryan indicated today that he hopes cornerback Antonio Cromartie regains his form in 2014, but didn’t commit to him being on New York’s roster for next season, as Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News details. Cromartie is owed a $5MM roster bonus in March and carries a cap number of nearly $15MM for ’14.
- Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun passes along word of several free agent tryouts, reporting via Twitter that defensive tackle Torrey Davis auditioned for the Packers, linebacker Alex Hall tried out for the Cardinals, and wide receiver C.J. Akins worked out for the Panthers.
- Unsurprisingly, Patriots owner Robert Kraft told reporters today, including Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (Twitter links), that he’d like to bring back both of the team’s top two free agents, receiver Julian Edelman and cornerback Aqib Talib.
- As Russell Wilson prepares to play in his first Super Bowl, a handful of teams around the league are undoubtedly thinking about the opportunity they had to draft the third round pick in 2012. The Eagles are one team that came close to snatching Wilson off the board in the second round, writes Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
- In a pair of Dallas Morning News chats, Rainer Sabin explains why he believes the Dan Bailey contract extension was the right move for the Cowboys, while Kevin Sherrington argues that what the Cowboys call being “aggressive” with the cap is actually mismanagement.