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Draft Rumors: Jack, Lawson, Kearse, Alexander

By | at March 10, 2016 5:52 pm

This week being veteran-centric, let’s look at the latest occurring at some of the draft prospects who will soon take over the NFL news cycle.

  • Myles Jack received full clearance during a visit with a UCLA surgeon, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Rapoport adds that Jack, a projected top-10 pick, is ready to ramp up training following this positive diagnosis.
  • Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson met with the Jets, Titans and Saints on Wednesday and told Dan Hope of OrangeandWhite.com (on Twitter) he’s visiting the Browns next.
  • Lawson also has a private workout with the Falcons upcoming, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets. Lawson told Ledbetter he speaks with Falcons defensive line coach Bryan Cox, illuminating a connection between the defensive end-needy Falcons and the Clemson pass-rusher.
  • During Clemson’s pro day today, safety Jayron Kearse told media (including Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times, via Twitter) he’s scheduled visits with the Buccaneers, Jaguars, Lions, Saints and Steelers.
  • NFL personnel are “gushing” over Clemson corner Mackensie Alexander‘s workout at the Tigers’ pro day, while scouts weren’t as taken with Kearse’s positional-drills work, per Tony Pauline of WalterFootball.com. One source told Pauline that Kearse would be better off “gaining 20 pounds and moving to linebacker.”
0 comments Atlanta Falcons Cleveland Browns Detroit Lions Jacksonville Jaguars New Orleans Saints New York Jets Pittsburgh Steelers Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tennessee Titans

Free Agent Rumors: Saints, Patriots, Jaguars

By | at March 10, 2016 4:53 pm

The latest free agent rumors:

  • The Saints have expressed an interest in bringing safety Rafael Bush back to the team, Sean Fazende of FOX 8 tweets.
  • Bears free agent cornerback Sherrick McManis is visiting the Patriots, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter). Earlier today, it was reported that McManis was visiting an AFC East team and we now know that club’s identity. The Jaguars are also interested in him, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (on Twitter).
  • Quarterback Luke McCown visited the Colts today, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweeted.
  • Danny Trevathan, who just signed with the Bears, offered up an interesting answer when asked if the Packers reached out to him. “No, they didn’t. I wish they would have, but they didn’t,” the linebacker said (Twitter link via NFL Network).
  • Defensive end Frank Kearse is visiting the Patriots, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
  • The Ravens hosted guard Vlad Ducasse on a visit today, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Ducasse started 11 of 16 games for Chicago in 2015. Ducasse began his career with the Jets, a team that was high on his raw talent but never got to see him put it altogether on the field.
0 comments Baltimore Ravens Chicago Bears Green Bay Packers Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars New England Patriots New Orleans Saints New York Jets

Saints Sign Coby Fleener

By | at March 10, 2016 2:20 pm

THURSDAY, 2:20pm: The Saints announced (on Twitter) that Fleener’s deal is official.

WEDNESDAY, 5:57pm: Drew Brees lost his starting tight end during each of the past two offseasons, but now the Saints spent to fill the void. Coby Fleener has agreed to join the Saints, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (on Twitter)."<strong

It’s a five-year deal for Fleener, per Saints official spokesman Greg Bensel (on Twitter), one worth $36MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter).

Fleener’s deal falls squarely into the top 10 in terms of tight ends’ average annual earnings. It’s very close to the $7.3MM-per-year figure former Colts teammate Dwayne Allen signed for to stay in Indianapolis.

After trading Jimmy Graham last season, the Saints received solid production from Ben Watson in 2015. But Watson departed to join the Ravens, leaving Brees with another hole at tight end.

Fleener operated in a perpetual timeshare with Allen during his four seasons with the Colts but now looks to be the clear-cut No. 1 tight end on his new team.

The 6-foot-6 tight end provided a consistent-if-unspectacular presence for Andrew Luck in 2013-14, when the ex-Stanford teammates were again in sync. Fleener, 27, caught 103 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns during those seasons. Fleener’s top season came in 2014, when he averaged 15.2 yards per catch and served as Luck’s No. 2 option.

Tight ends in Sean Payton‘s system have thrived for years, and Fleener should be a key fixture in Brees’ progression hierarchy as he winds down his career.

Photo courtesy USA Today Sports Images

2 comments New Orleans Saints Newsstand Transactions

Saints Re-Sign Travaris Cadet

By | at March 10, 2016 11:24 am

The Saints announced that they have re-signed running back Travaris Cadet. Cadet, a four-year NFL vet, originally signed with New Orleans as a UDFA out of Appalachian State in 2012. Travaris Cadet (vertical)

For his career, Cadet has appeared in 48 games (2 starts) with 62 catches for 559 yards and three scores plus 22 carries for 65 yards. This past season, he spent time with the Patriots and Niners. Cadet, 27, saw his first significant action for the Saints in 2014, hauling in 38 passes on 51 targets, totaling 296 yards and a touchdown on those receptions. He didn’t see that kind of usage in 2015 but he’s certainly hoping to find that same level of involvement in ’16 as he returns to New Orleans.

Within the announcement, the Saints also confirmed new deals for kicker Kai Forbath, tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, center/guard Senio Kelemete, and cornerback Kyle Wilson.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

0 comments New Orleans Saints Transactions

Saints Release Brandon Browner

By | at March 10, 2016 6:59 am

MARCH 10, 6:59am: More than a month after his impending release was first reported, Browner has been cut by the Saints with a post-June 1 designation, tweets Howard Balzer. With $5.35MM in total dead money left on his contract, the Saints will carry $4.05MM of that total on their 2016 cap, with the remaining $1.3MM applied to 2017.

FEBRUARY 5, 11:40am: As expected, the Saints plan to release Browner, ESPN’s John Clayton confirms.

8:11am: The Saints appear set to part ways with Brandon Browner, according to the cornerback himself. Browner posted messages on Twitter and Instagram saying that he enjoyed and was appreciative of his time in New Orleans, suggesting that his stint with the club has come to an end.Brandon Browner

“[You] got to take the good with the bad, sometimes treat the wins like losses,” Browner wrote on Twitter. “Next Chapter every good book has up and downs #farewellneworleans”

Coming off a Super Bowl win with the Patriots a year ago, Browner signed a three-year, $15MM contract with the Saints and became one of the team’s starting corners. However, he disappointed in his first – and potentially only – season in New Orleans, racking up penalties and struggling in coverage. Pro Football Focus rated him dead last in the league among 113 qualified cornerbacks.

If the Saints cut Browner in the coming weeks, they’ll have to eat a chunk of dead money still on his contract. Browner’s $2.75MM base salary for 2016 is fully guaranteed, and he has $2.6MM in prorated bonus money left on his deal after 2015. However, New Orleans will at least avoid paying him $2.25MM in 2016 roster bonuses, including a $750K bonus due on March 11. Overall, the club would reduce his ’16 cap hit by nearly $1MM.

Since Browner has five years of NFL experience, he won’t have to pass through waivers if and when the Saints release him, and he’d immediately be free to sign with any team. As for the Saints, they appear to have struck gold with former CFL cornerback Delvin Breaux, who had an excellent first year for the team in 2015, but they’ll be in the market for additional cornerback help this winter.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

3 comments New Orleans Saints Newsstand Transactions

NFC Contract Details: Vernon, Jenkins, Mack

By | at March 9, 2016 9:56 pm

Here are some of the latest details on many recent agreed-upon and signed contracts from out of the NFC (all links via Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post unless otherwise indicated)…

NFC East:

  • Olivier Vernon, DE (Giants): Five years, $85MM. $52.5MM guaranteed. $20MM signing bonus. $7MM roster bonus due on fifth day of 2016 league year (Twitter links).
  • Janoris Jenkins, CB (Giants): Five years, $62.5MM. $28.8MM guaranteed. $10MM signing bonus. $1.4MM base salary in 2016 (Twitter link).
  • Brandon Brooks, G (Eagles): Five years, $40MM. $21MM guaranteed. $11MM signing bonus. $1MM base salary in 2016 and $5MM base salary in 2017 fully guaranteed (Twitter link).
  • Chase Daniel, QB (Eagles): Three years, $21MM base value. $36MM max value. $3MM signing bonus. $3MM roster bonus due on March 14. $3MM base escalators in 2017 and 2018 (Twitter link).
  • Colt McCoy, QB (Washington): Three years, $9MM base value. Third year can be voided based on playing time. $1.8MM signing bonus. $1MM annually in playing-time incentives (Twitter link).
  • Ron Brooks, CB (Eagles): Three years, $5.5MM. $1.55MM guaranteed. $750K signing bonus (Twitter link).

NFC South:

NFC North:

  • Marvin Jones, WR (Lions): Five years, $40MM. $20MM guaranteed. $8MM signing bonus (Twitter link).
  • Alex Boone, G (Vikings): Four years, $26.8MM. $10MM guaranteed. Annual $100K workout bonus (Twitter link).
  • Danny Trevathan, LB (Bears): Four years, $24.5MM. $12MM guaranteed. $5MM signing bonus. $3.5MM roster bonus due on March 14 (Twitter link).
  • Michael Griffin, S (Vikings): One year, $2.5MM. $250K signing bonus. $500K of $1.65MM base salary guaranteed. Up to $500K in playing-time incentives (Twitter links).
  • Tavon Wilson, S (Lions): Two years, $2.2MM. $500K signing bonus. Up to $500K in annual playing-time incentives (Twitter link).

NFC West:

  • Mark Barron, OLB (Rams): Five years, $45MM. $20MM guaranteed. $5MM signing bonus (Twitter link).
  • William Hayes, DE (Rams): Three years, $17.5MM. $10MM guaranteed. $4MM roster bonus due on March 13 (Twitter link).
  • Tyvon Branch, S (Cardinals): Two years, $8MM. $1MM signing bonus. $1.75MM roster bonus in 2016, $1MM roster bonus in 2017 (Twitter link).
  • Tim Barnes, C (Rams): Two years, $5.6MM. $2.5MM guaranteed. $1.25MM roster bonus due in four days. $750K roster bonus due on third day of 2017 league year guaranteed for injury, skill; becomes fully guaranteed if on roster June 17. Up to $1MM in annual playing-time incentives. $250K annual Pro Bowl incentive (all Twitter links).
  • Brian Quick, WR (Rams): One year, $1.75MM. $1.5MM guaranteed ($1.25MM bas salary, $250K roster bonus due on March 15). $2MM stats incentive (Twitter link).
0 comments Arizona Cardinals Atlanta Falcons Carolina Panthers Chicago Bears Detroit Lions Los Angeles Rams Minnesota Vikings New Orleans Saints New York Giants Philadelphia Eagles Washington Commanders

RFA Tender Decisions: 3/9/16

By | at March 9, 2016 9:10 pm

Unrestricted free agent news will obviously dominate the day, but several clubs also had to make decisions on whether to offer tenders to restricted free agents. We’ll round up those decisions here:

Tendered

Non-Tendered

4 comments Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Chicago Bears Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Indianapolis Colts Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Rams New England Patriots New Orleans Saints New York Jets Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Tampa Bay Buccaneers Transactions Washington Commanders

ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/9/16

By | at March 9, 2016 7:25 pm

Unrestricted free agent news will obviously dominate the day, but several clubs also had to make decisions on whether to offer tenders to exclusive-rights free agents. We’ll round up those decisions here:

Tendered

Non-Tendered

0 comments Buffalo Bills Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Chargers New England Patriots New Orleans Saints Tampa Bay Buccaneers Transactions

Saints To Re-Sign Kai Forbath

By | at March 9, 2016 4:22 pm

Midseason pickup Kai Forbath appears to have impressed his new team sufficiently. The Saints look to have re-signed the kicker from the second half of 2015, with Forbath posting on Instagram he’s going to be back with the team next season.

The length or salary structure of Forbath’s agreement with the Saints is not yet known.

The Saints signed Forbath last October after Washington released him a month earlier. Forbath went on to make 9-of-13 field goal attempts — including a 57-yarder — and 33-of-34 extra points.

Forbath, 28, served as Washington’s kicker for three seasons prior to his release. He worked out for the Steelers just before signing with the Saints, but Pittsburgh opted to go with Chris Boswell instead.

0 comments New Orleans Saints Newsstand Transactions

Free Agent Rumors: Saints, Fleener, Falcons

By | at March 9, 2016 3:02 pm

A deal between tight end Ladarius Green and the Steelers remains imminent, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets. The Saints were looking at the athletic tight end as well, but they’ll now turn their attention to Coby Fleener. Fleener is available and less likely to be retained by the Colts after they signed Dwayne Allen to a hefty new contract.

Here are the latest free agent rumors on what has been a crazy day:

  • After adding one of the league’s top centers in Alex Mack, Gino Gradkowski is not expected to be retained by the Falcons, according to a source who spoke with Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
  • The Jets are exploring the market for offensive lineman, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). Mehta reports that New York did its homework on tackle Donald Stephenson before he agreed to terms with the Broncos, and adds that J.R. Sweezy is worth keeping an eye on as a Jets target.
  • Jenna Laine of SportsTalkFlorida confirms (via Twitter) that the Buccaneers are likely moving on from cornerback Sterling Moore, as first reported by JoeBucsFan.com.
  • After receiving a low-end tender from the Broncos, RFA running back C.J. Anderson has generated interest from “multiple” teams, tweets Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post. Denver has the right to match any offer sheet Anderson signs, but won’t receive compensation if he leaves.
  • The market for Ravens outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw is “not exactly wild,” tweets Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports. Upshaw may ultimately return to Baltimore, though the Colts are worth monitoring — Indianapolis’ new defensive coordinator is Upshaw’s former linebackers coach, Ted Monachino.
0 comments Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Denver Broncos Indianapolis Colts New Orleans Saints New York Jets Pittsburgh Steelers Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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