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New Orleans Saints News & Rumors

Extra Points: Hardy, Winston, Eagles, Saints

April 10th, 2015 at 10:38pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Some tidbits from around the NFL as Friday evening comes to a close…

  • The Cowboys and newly signed defensive end Greg Hardy continue to await the NFL’s decision regarding the star pass rusher’s forthcoming suspension for domestic violence issues. Hardy will likely sit four to six games with the possibility of the amount being cut in half after appeal, according to the Dallas Morning News’ Tim Cowlishaw.
  • Despite his overwhelming success on the field, Florida State quarterback and potential No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston had some concerning moments away from the gridiron during his time with the Seminoles. Because of that, David Cornwell – one of Winston’s advisors – cautions that Winston doesn’t yet have everything it takes to be an NFL player. “Jameis is ready to be an NFL player on the field. He’s not ready to be an NFL player off the field,” Cornwell said Friday, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “The idea that, standing alone, he’s ready to get into this shark-invested pool, it’s crazy.”
  • Although the Eagles acquired quarterback Sam Bradford earlier this offseason, they continue to be linked to one of the draft’s top two QBs, Marcus Mariota, largely because of his time at Oregon with Chip Kelly. The Eagles won’t be able to land Mariota with the 20th overall pick, and ESPN’s Ron Jaworski believes Mariota is a prospect for whom moving up in the draft is justifiable. “You have to mortage your future,” Jaworski said on Philly Sports Talk, according to CSNPhilly.com. “I know [Kelly] says he’s not going to, but what mortgage means is you get something now and you pay later.”  If Kelly ultimately does trade up for Mariota, it would likely mean moving into the top five – which would carry a steep cost for the Eagles.
  • Larry Holder of NOLA.com took a look at some under-the-radar Saints issues heading into the 2015 season, with the status of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan being one area of interest. After overseeing the second-worst defense in the league in 2014, Ryan’s job is far from secure going forward, according to Holder – who believes newly hired assistant Dennis Allen could take over if head coach Sean Payton elects to make an in-season change.

Draft Notes: Parker, Holliman, Roberts, Bucs

April 10th, 2015 at 6:36pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Let’s take a look at the latest regarding a handful of prospects as the 2015 NFL Draft draws nearer:

  • Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker has pre-draft visits lined up with the Patriots, Ravens, Jets, Saints, Rams, Titans, 49ers and Panthers, according to Sports Illustrated’s Robert Klemko (Twitter link). In a mock draft posted earlier today, our own Rob Dire has the highly touted Parker going 11th overall to the Vikings.
  • Safety Gerod Holliman, Parker’s teammate at Louisville, tweeted that his workout with the Dolphins was a “success.”
  • Marshall cornerback Darryl Roberts visited the Chiefs this week, writes Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post and Baltimore Sun. Roberts previously had private workouts with the 49ers and Packers.
  • Stony Brook receiver Adrian Coxson is scheduled to visit the Packers, reports Wilson (via Twitter).
  • The Buccaneers are expected to take a quarterback – either Florida State’s Jameis Winston or Oregon’s Marcus Mariota – with the first overall pick, but Wilson tweets that a a lesser-known QB, West Georgia’s Austin Trainor, impressed the team at its local prospect day. Trainor was the only signal caller in attendance.
  • In other Bucs news, South Florida kicker Marvin Kloss had a “strong workout” for the team Friday, per Wilson. Kloss hit 9 of 10 field goals, including a 55-yarder, and three of his four kickoffs went for touchbacks.

Anthony Spencer Signs With Saints

April 10th, 2015 at 12:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

12:32pm: The team confirmed Spencer’s pact, although terms of the deal are not yet disclosed.

12:10pm: Longtime Cowboys defensive end/linebacker Anthony Spencer agreed to a one-year contract with the Saints, reports NFL.com’s Albert Breer via Twitter.

Spencer, who played for Dallas for eight seasons and started from 2009-12, made the Pro Bowl after an 11-sack campaign in 2012 when he served as a 3-4 outside linebacker under current Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

A former first-round pick, the 31-year-old Spencer played as a backup defensive end last season after undergoing microfracture knee surgery in 2013.

Spencer’s return from surgery went well, with the former linebacker serving as a decent run defender off the bench last season. Pro Football Focus graded Spencer as its 21st-best defensive end in a 4-3 alignment (subscription required), with his strong run defense being the primary reason for the resurgence.

Although Spencer convened with the Seahawks, he also met with the Saints last month and will now serve as an edge player in a Saints look that meshes 4-3 and 3-4 principles. The Saints introduced Spencer as a linebacker, meaning he could compete with Parys Haralson and Ramon Humber for time on the outside. Last season’s work, however, showcases a flexibility for Spencer to potentially join a defensive end corps fronted by stalwart Junior Galette.

Draft Notes: Gregory, Sambrailo, Hundley

April 9th, 2015 at 5:43pm CST by Zachary Links

Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory, once viewed as a top-10 pick, could fall toward the late first round after his failed drug test. Now, the top-five talent could drift into the early 20s, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). He’ll be evaluated extensively given the concerns, but his agent tells Cole that tons of teams are highly interested in him. The Saints are viewed by many as the most likely destination for him at No. 13 but the Lions, Bengals, and Colts could all be interested if he falls further. The latest draft news..

  • When all is said and done, Colorado State tackle Tyler Sambrailo will have met with or worked out for the Colts, Buccaneers, Seahawks, Broncos, Falcons, and Chargers, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The 6’5″, 311 pound athlete is considered to be one of the top offensive linemen in this year’s class. Teams like his versatility and ability to play at either tackle position or on the inside and at least one team told Caplan (link) that they’ve worked him out at center.
  • The Cardinals will host UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley for a visit next week, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Rapoport (link) adds that Hundley has auditioned for the Bengals, Eagles, and Jets. Given the widespread interest in him, Hundley stands as something of a wildcard as we approach the draft.
  • The Vikings, Colts, and Giants are all “in love” with Arizona State safety Damarious Randall, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (video link). Miller previously had Randall rated in the second round but he could find his way into the first thanks to his budding interest.
  • More from Miller, who says that Oregon defensive lineman Arik Armstead will not fall further than the middle of the first round. While he’s a boom-or-bust player, the Dolphins, 49ers, and Texans are all high on him and all pick in the middle of the first.
  • The Vikings “love” Michigan State shutdown cornerback Trae Waynes, according to Miller. He checks all the boxes for Mike Zimmer‘s defense and while Miller sees him as a late first round guy, Minnesota could make a play for him earlier on.

Draft Visits: Titans, Jags, Steelers, 49ers

April 8th, 2015 at 12:22pm CST by Luke Adams

Having hosted receiver Kevin White for a visit already, the Titans are scheduled to meet with Alabama wideout Amari Cooper next week, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter). While the two players are considered the top two prospects at their position, it would still be a surprise to see either player go as high as No. 2 to Tennessee, so perhaps the team is doing due diligence in case it trades down. Of course, I’d argue that the Titans have multiple positions that are bigger holes than wide receiver, but there’s no harm in exploring every potential option.

Here are more updates on upcoming draft visits, as well as some that have already happened:

  • Another top-five team keeping its options open is Jacksonville, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who reports (via Twitter) that the Jaguars have hosted Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon and Georgia’s Todd Gurley for pre-draft visits. Third overall is almost certainly too high to draft a running back, so the Jags could be doing their homework in case they make a draft-day trade.
  • Rapoport also passes along an update on wide receiver DeVante Parker, tweeting that the former Louisville Cardinal has visits with the Jets, Titans, and Bears on his schedule. Parker has also visited the Jaguars and is meeting with the Vikings today.
  • Virginia edge rusher Eli Harold, Ole Miss cornerback Senquez Golson, Utah defensive end Nate Orchard, and Auburn tight end C.J. Uzomah all visited the Steelers today, tweets Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
  • Speaking of Harold, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link), the Virginia product has visited or worked out for 14 teams, including the Bears, Jaguars, Saints, and Jets.
  • The 49ers and Steelers will host Auburn receiver Sammie Coates for visits next week, sources tell Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Coates has also visited the Browns and, as previously reported, the Dolphins.
  • Per Wilson (via Twitter), USC tight end Randall Telfer has visited the Eagles, will visit the Patriots, and has a private meeting lined up with the Falcons.
  • Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reports (via Twitter) that that Sacramento State wide receiver DeAndre Carter worked out for the Cardinals this week, and will attend local pro days for the Raiders and 49ers next week.

Contract Details: Sullivan, Morgan, Wilson

April 7th, 2015 at 5:54pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Here are the details on some recently-signed contracts, all courtesy of the Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson on Twitter:

  • John Sullivan, C (Vikings): Extended through 2017. $1MM guaranteed. Annual $100K workout bonus, plus $500K escalator for 2017 with 90% playing time in 2015 and 2016 (Twitter links).
  • Will Montgomery, C (Bears): One year, $950K base value. $120K guaranteed (link).
  • Joe Morgan, WR (Saints): One year, $600K base value. $15K signing bonus (link).
  • Josh Wilson, CB (Lions): One year, $950K base value. $200K guaranteed (link).
  • Nick Bellore, LB (49ers): Two years, $1.69MM base value. $30K signing bonus. $505K available through incentives (link).

Draft Notes: Eagles, Fowler, 49ers, Parker

April 7th, 2015 at 4:28pm CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles have signed three cornerbacks within the last month, adding E.J. Biggers today to go along with Byron Maxwell and Walter Thurmond, but the team continues to consider options at the position with the draft approaching. As Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com outlines, the team hosted LSU cornerback Jalen Collins, a potential scheme fit, on a pre-draft visit today.

Here are a few more draft-related updates from around the NFL:

  • Although he thinks he’ll probably end up in Jacksonville with the No. 3 overall pick, Dante Fowler Jr. is meeting with a couple NFC teams in the top 10, according to Albert Breer of the NFL Network, who tweets that the Florida pass rusher will visit the Buccaneers and Falcons this weekend.
  • The 49ers are meeting with Louisville receiver DeVante Parker, who is expected to be one of the first wideouts to come off the board, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
  • UTC pass rusher Davis Tull, a former wide receiver, has pre-draft visits lined up with the Saints and Falcons, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
  • Over at The National Football Post, Aaron Wilson passes along updates on a pair of prospects, writing that Northwestern quarterback Trevor Siemian has visited the Broncos and is working out for the Bears, while Bowling Green linebacker Gabe Martin is visiting the Cowboys today.
  • Per Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter link), the Cowboys “love” Damarious Randall, and consider the Arizona State alum the best safety in this year’s draft class.
  • Rutgers tight end Tyler Kroft has had individual workouts with the Eagles, Jaguars, and Buccaneers, and is scheduled to visit the Bears and Broncos this week, says Dan Duggan of NJ.com.
  • The Patriots had a private workout with Northwestern State defensive tackle Deon Simon last week, a league source tells Christopher Price of WEEI.com.

NFC Notes: Staley, Draft, Cowboys, Lions

April 6th, 2015 at 9:13pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers converted Joe Staley‘s option bonus to a signing bonus, affecting his cap number for 2015, as CBSSports.com’s Joel Corry (Twitter links) explains. Staley’s cap number has gone from $6.4MM to $7.6MM after his $6MM option bonus was converted. San Francisco, meanwhile, will get a salary cap credit of $1.2MM in 2016. The accounting move won’t result in a salary increase for the offensive tackle. Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap explicates the transaction.

Here’s more the NFC…

  • The Buccaneers‘ private workout with Oregon QB Marcus Mariota is set for tomorrow in Eugene, Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets.
  • The Cowboys have filled most their 30 allowed spots for draft visits, writes Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, who reports the following players have headed or will head to Valley Ranch in the coming days: running backs T.J. Yeldon, Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon, Tevin Coleman, Jay Ajayi, and Ameer Adbullah; defensive lineman Bud Dupree and Danielle Hunter; linebacker Benardrick McKinney; and defensive backs Josh Shaw and Damarious Randall.
  • The Cowboys will also take a look at a defensive lineman tomorrow, as they’ll meet with UCLA DE Owa Odighizuma, per Rapoport (Twitter link), who adds that the former Bruin will also visit with the Saints. Odighizuma has already visited the Eagles.
  • Dallas will be flush with prospects on Tuesday, as the Cowboys will also visit with both versatile Washington product Shaq Thompson and UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks, according to Rapoport (Twitter link).
  • Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com takes an overview of the Lions’ roster, noting that while linebacker is a deep position group, Detroit could afford to spend draft resources on the interior of both the offensive and defensive lines.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

NFC Notes: Huff, Mosley, Saints, Glennon, Long

April 4th, 2015 at 2:44pm CST by Rob DiRe

Eagles receiver Josh Huff gives his opinion on a number of the team’s offseason moves to Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com. Huff, who played for Chip Kelly at Oregon before coming to Philadelphia, has an interesting perspective on Kelly’s thoughts about each move.

Here are some other notes from around the NFC:

  • After losing Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley this offseason, it was expected that the Lions would attempt to re-sign defensive tackle C.J. Mosley. The team has not pursued him yet, and Kyle Meinke of MLive.com believes his suspension for marijuana possession the caused him to miss a game against the Falcons last season could be a reason why the team is hesitant to bring him back.
  • The Saints are caught in between win-now and rebuilding mode after a disastrous 2014 season. They traded away their best receiving threat in Jimmy Graham, but still have franchise signal caller Drew Brees at the helm. They are the only team with five selections in the first three rounds, and have the ammo to rebuild quickly despite their cap troubles, writes Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.
  • If the Buccaneers do select Jameis Winston with the first overall pick, quarterback Mike Glennon will become available for a trade, writes Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com. He writes if any team wants Glennon, he could be had as the team would just sign another veteran backup to replace him.
  • The Rams have yet to pursue offensive tackle Jake Long in free agency, and Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com doesn’t see the Rams or any team actively trying sign Long at this point in the offseason. Wagoner cites his injury concerns as a reason teams would not be rushing to sign the former All-Pro tackle.
  • The 49ers may have a pair of starting inside linebacker despite the retirements of Patrick Willis and Chris Borland, but NaVorro Bowman is coming off an injury and Michael Wilhoite is still relatively inexperienced. Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com believes that Lance Briggs could be an interesting option to add to their depth, as he would not command big money but is looking to continuing his NFL career.

Drew Brees On Graham, Unger, Rumors

April 4th, 2015 at 12:04pm CST by Ben Levine

If you thought you were blindsided by the Jimmy Graham trade, imagine how Saints quarterback Drew Brees felt. The Pro Bowler appeared on WWL Radio in New Orleans on Thursday to discuss a number of topics, including the departure of Graham, the acquisition of Max Unger, and the trade rumors surrounding Brees himself. We grabbed some of the more interesting quotes, all via Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com…

On his reaction to the Jimmy Graham trade:

“I think it shocked all of us. A lot of crazy things happened, though, during the course of free agency for a lot of different teams. Unfortunately, you’ve been around long enough, you see some of these things happen at times. If anything it shows the confidence our organization has in the young players, especially the young skill players on offense, just feeling like those are guys that now have a chance to step up and fill a big void and fill a big role and continue to progress forward.”

On the Saints acquiring Pro Bowl offensive lineman Max Unger:

“I was with him in Pro Bowl a few years ago and I think he’s a very good player. I know he was hit by the injury bug a little bit last year. But obviously he can play at a high level. He’s still very much in the prime of his career. I feel like he’ll be a great addition to that front five.”

On how he handled the rumors regarding a possible trade:

“I really did not pay attention one bit. This is the time of year where I’m very focused on the family. People would come up to me and say, ‘I hear you’re getting traded to Tampa,’ and I’d say, ‘OK, that’s great.’ I have a close enough relationship with everyone within the Saints organization that if something was going on, I know that I would hear it from them if there was any reality to it.”

On whether he wants to finish his career in New Orleans:

“I do, absolutely. But I also understand the reality of the business and everything. You’ve got to perform and you’ve got to give them a reason to keep you around.”

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