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New Orleans Saints News & Rumors

NFC Links: White, Wallace, Seahawks

March 14th, 2015 at 9:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

Corey White will head to Dallas after the Saints waived him Friday, reports ESPN’s Todd Archer. White had less than four years’ experience, which sent him to the waiver process where the Cowboys picked up the cornerback’s contract.

The soon-to-be 25-year-old White, a fifth-round Saints pick in 2012, started 19 games with New Orleans the past three seasons, including nine last year. The Cowboys, who did not place a tender on then-restricted free agent corner Sterling Moore last weekend, also have interest in bringing in ex-Saints corner Patrick Robinson, Archer added.

Moore rated 22nd among cornerbacks on Pro Football Focus (subscription required) last year, while the site ranked White as its third-worst corner.

White’s cap number more than doubles entering his fourth year, going from $614K to $1.6MM, per OverTheCap.

Elsewhere in free agency’s first official weekend …

  • New Vikings No. 1 receiver Mike Wallace did not agree to renegotiate his contract, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Wallace’s Dolphins deal signed in 2013 calls for him to count $9.9MM against the Vikings’ salary cap, which could be the highest figure on the team, depending on what happens with Adrian Peterson ($15.4MM).”I was traded as is, with my contract. We didn’t even discuss anything like that,” Wallace said, via Tomasson.
  • Currently the Seahawks‘ No. 2 quarterback behind Russell Wilson, B.J. Daniels figures to get competition here and may have his role expanded to non-quarterback responsibilities, reports Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. The third-stringer behind Wilson and current unrestricted free agent Tarvaris Jackson, Daniels was signed to a futures contract after the 2013 season. Pete Carroll told Condotta the athletic QB could be in line to have a role at wide receiver along with time as a return man. Daniels, a 49ers seventh-round pick in 2013, rushed for more than 2,000 yards in college at South Florida.
  • Five cornerbacks on the 2013 Super Bowl champion Seahawks signed for a sum of $126.25MM this week, notes Condotta. Although only Byron Maxwell (six years, $63MM, Eagles) and Walter Thurmond (one year, $3.25MM, Eagles) played for the team in Super Bowl XLVIII, Brandon Browner (three years, $15MM, Saints), Perrish Cox (three years, $15MM, Titans) and Ron Parker (five years, $30MM, Chiefs) were on the roster at various points that season or in training camp.
  • OverTheCap provided an analysis of what kind of compensatory draft picks this year’s free agent class can net their former teams. It tabbed Ndamukong Suh, Darrelle Revis, Maxwell and Julius Thomas to result in picks at the end of the 2016 draft’s third round for the Lions, Patriots, Seahawks and Broncos. This year’s compensatory selections are set to be announced later this month.

NFC Notes: Brown, Mays, Lewis, Satele

March 14th, 2015 at 7:58pm CST by Rob DiRe

With Ron Parker, Kendrick Lewis, Rahim Moore, and Antrel Rolle all signing deals over the past few days, the safety market has evaporated before the Giants’ eyes, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.

Without many options on the roster or left in free agency, Raanan believes the team will have to do their best to re-sign veteran Stevie Brown, who played with the team in 2012 and 2014, missing the season in between. Brown intercepted eight passes in 2012, ties for second in the NFL that season.

Here are some other notes from around the NFC:

  • While discussing some of Washington’s options left in free agency, John Keim of ESPN forgot to mention that the team had interest in safety Taylor Mays (via Twitter). While there was mutual interest, there has been no official visit.
  • Cornerback Keenan Lewis now wants to retire with the Saints despite his previous demand at a guaranteed contract or a release, NOLA.com’s Katherine Terrell reports. New Orleans’ No. 1 corner also denied an NFL.com report that indicated the Saints are re-working his contract. Lewis has three years left on his deal with base salaries totaling $10.8MM.
  • The Vikings hosted former Buccaneer and Bengal Michael Johnson for a visit today, according to the Vikings’ public relations and communication department (via Twitter). The team could place Johnson at defensive end opposite Everson Griffen.
  • The Bears could be in the market for a veteran center, and Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune suggests that Samson Satele is a name to keep an eye on (via Twitter).
  • The Panthers have filled a number of holes this offseason, and with draft picks, injury replacements, and contract extensions still to be accounted for, general manager Dave Gettleman will likely have to wait another year before making a huge extension, writes Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. He does, however, give five names to watch as possible value signings the team could target this offseason, including Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka and Charles Tillman.
  • Holding the No. 1 draft choice isn’t the only perk of finishing with the league’s worst record. The Buccaneers hold the No. 1 waiver priority thanks to their 2-14 record last year, and they intend to capitalize on it, reports the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud. “It’s a huge deal,” Bucs general manager Jason Licht told Stroud. “Bigger than people realize.” The Texans signed three players with their No. 1 position last season.

Sam Robinson contributed to this report.

Extra Points: Saints, Wilfork, Jets

March 13th, 2015 at 9:37pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Saints addressed their secondary in a big way Thursday when they signed free agent cornerback Brandon Browner, but another of the team’s corners seemingly faces a less certain future in New Orleans.

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports tweeted Friday that the Saints are “actively shopping” Keenan Lewis, who voiced his displeasure with the team’s direction on social media earlier this week. Shortly after La Canfora’s tweet, though, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported (Twitter link) that the Saints are restructuring Lewis’ contract in an effort to appease the six-year veteran. Lewis has three years and $10.8MM in guarantees left on the five-year, $26.5MM deal he signed with the Saints in 2013. Lewis, 28, said Tuesday that the Saints should either guarantee all of the remaining three years or release him. However, he changed his tune Friday night. According to Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com (via Twitter), Lewis wrote on Instagram that “leaving was never an option.” We’ll see whether that proves true.

In other news:

  • Elsewhere on the Saints front, Woodbery writes that, despite its recent moves to open up spending room, the team is still in cap trouble. Woodbery speculates that the Saints will have to do something with 31-year-old guard Jahri Evans, which could mean restructuring his current deal, trading him or releasing him. Evans is signed for two more years at cap numbers of $11.2MM and $10MM, respectively.
  • Vince Wilfork‘s agent, Kennard McGuire, said Friday that the Texans have a “legitimate shot” to sign the free agent defensive lineman, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26 in Houston. “One of the benefits from the organization’s standpoint is that of familiarity.” said McGuire. “Vince played with (linebackers coach Mike) Vrabel. He was coached by (head coach) Billy O (O’Brien) and Rac (defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel).” The 33-year-old Wilfork spent the first 11 seasons of his career in New England, with which he made five Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowls. He’d further beef up a Texans defense that finished a solid 10th against the run last season. Wilfork is unlikely to join the Texans (or anyone else) imminently, however, as his agent said the player would “take his time” on choosing a team.
  • Multiple sources told Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) that the NFL is investigating the Jets for possibly tampering with free agent cornerback Darrelle Revis, whom they signed earlier this week. The negotiating period between teams and free agents opened last Saturday, and the league is taking the notion that the Jets may have had contact with Revis prior to then “incredibly seriously,” per Cole.

Reactions To Kenny Stills Trade

March 13th, 2015 at 4:18pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier today, the Dolphins acquired promising young wide receiver Kenny Stills from the Saints in exchange for linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and a third-round pick. Here’s a look at some of the latest reaction and fallout:

  • Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) heard that Saints brass had soured on Stills, prompting the trade. Many teams were surprised that he was being shopped given that his contract was so inexpensive, but that might help to explain it. Meanwhile, the Saints are looking to load up on draft picks.
  • Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (on Twitter) heard that quarterback Drew Brees was not happy with Stills or Ben Grubbs, so it’s no coincidence that they’ve both been shipped out.
  • According to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald (on Twitter), there were questions in New Orleans about Stills’ work ethic, and he apparently enjoys the nightlife quite a bit.
  • The Saints are telling their traded players that they’re going all in to build a quality defense, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report tweets. New Orleans now has two first-round picks, a second-round choice, and two third-round picks to work with. Even with Rob Ryan at the helm, the Saints’ defense was a major disappointment in 2014.
  • Miller (on Twitter) doesn’t necessarily like that approach, and he notes that the Saints are loading up on draft picks in what projects to be a very average draft class. Still, the strongest position in this draft is wide receiver, so the Saints may feel that they can replace Stills with one of their many picks (link).

Saints Sign C.J. Spiller

March 13th, 2015 at 2:31pm CST by Luke Adams

2:31pm: Spiller’s four-year contract is worth $18MM, with $9MM in guaranteed money, including a $5MM signing bonus, according to Getlin (via Twitter). The deal could also void after three years, depending on the running back’s performance.

1:29pm: The Saints have officially announced the arrival of Spiller (Twitter link).

11:53am: As they finalize a deal with the Dolphins to send Kenny Stills to Miami, the Saints have added a piece to their offense. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) that the club has agreed to terms with running back C.J. Spiller, who will join a backfield that also features Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson. It’s a four-year deal for Spiller, per Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link).

Spiller, 27, spent his first five NFL seasons in Buffalo after being selected by the Bills with the ninth overall pick in the 2010 draft. He showed flashes of brilliance during those five years, particularly in 2012, when he racked up 1,244 rushing yards on 6.0 yards per carry, earning a spot in the Pro Bowl. However, his final season with the Bills was marred by injuries, and it became clear the team wouldn’t bring him back after the LeSean McCoy trade.

In New Orleans, Spiller will join a Saints offense that figures to look very different in 2015. While the team decided to retain Ingram, an unrestricted free agent, Jimmy Graham has been traded to the Seahawks, and Stills is on the verge of being dealt to the Dolphins. According to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (via Twitter), the Saints are telling their traded players they’re going all-in on building a defense, but the team appears to have found some wiggle room to add one more offensive piece in Spiller.

The addition of Spiller, who ranked 26th on PFR’s list of top 50 free agents, almost certainly eliminates the possibility of the Saints bringing in Reggie Bush, who had received some interest from his old team.

Dolphins Acquire Kenny Stills From Saints

March 13th, 2015 at 1:30pm CST by Luke Adams

1:30pm: The Saints have officially confirmed the trade, as reported (Twitter link).

12:40pm: As part of the swap, Ellerbe has agreed to restructure his deal for the Saints, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).

11:51am: The Dolphins will send linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and a third-round pick to New Orleans for Stills, per Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter link) first reported that the Saints would be getting a linebacker and a draft pick in the deal.

Ellerbe had been viewed as a likely cap casualty, given his $8.425MM base salary for 2015. I’d be surprised if the Saints are willing to pay him that much, or have the cap flexibility to accommodate that sort of number, so there may be a pay cut or restructure involved in the move.

The Dolphins will still carry $4.2MM on their 2015 cap in dead money for Ellerbe, but create $5.65MM in cap savings by moving him.

11:38am: The Saints are in the process of finalizing a trade that will send wide receiver Kenny Stills to the Dolphins, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). We heard yesterday that the young wideout was among the many players the Saints were shopping as they overhaul their roster.

Stills, who turns just 23 next month, became an integral part of the Saints’ passing attack in 2014, hauling in 63 passes for 931 yards and three touchdowns. The Saints’ top deep threat, Stills have averaged 16.5 yards per catch since entering the league in 2013, and is on an inexpensive rookie contract for two more years, so it’s surprising that the team would be willing to move him.

Nonetheless, yesterday’s reports indicated that the Saints were shopping practically everyone on their roster, with the exception of Drew Brees and Brandin Cooks. Already this week, the team has completed deals that shipped longtime Saints Jimmy Graham and Ben Grubbs out of town.

As for the Dolphins, if they can finalize a trade for Stills, he’d be the second notable pass-catcher added by the team in the span of 24 hours. Miami also signed tight end Jordan Cameron to a contract last night.

After the Dolphins parted ways with Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson earlier in the offseason, it looked like Ryan Tannehill may not have many weapons at his disposal for the 2015 season, with Mike Wallace and Charles Clay also hanging in the balance. However, Wallace remains on the roster for now, despite his large cap hit, and Clay was given the transition tag by the club, though he may end up signing elsewhere now that Cameron is in the mix.

Saints Cut Corey White

March 13th, 2015 at 12:25pm CST by Luke Adams

A day that started off with a flurry of Titans news has now been taken over by the Saints, who have made their third notable headline of the day. According to Lyons Yellin of WWL-TV (via Twitter), head coach Sean Payton has notified defensive back Corey White that he’s been let go. White will have to pass through waivers before becoming an unrestricted free agent.

White, 24, began the 2014 season as a starting cornerback for the Saints, logging 53 tackles and grabbing a pair of interceptions on the season. However, he was demoted toward the end of the year, and recorded a -17.8 grade for the season, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). That grade placed him 106th out of 108 qualified corners in 2014.

The former fifth-round pick was in line for a $1.542MM base salary in 2015, so the team will create that amount in cap savings by cutting him, leaving just $44K in dead money on the cap. Newly-signed veteran Brandon Browner will help fill the void left in the Saints’ secondary.

Contract Details: Culliver, Browner, Cameron

March 13th, 2015 at 10:36am CST by Luke Adams

Here are some key contract details for a few notable new pacts agreed to and/or signed over the last few days:

NFC deals:

  • Chris Culliver, CB (Washington): Four years, $32MM base value. $16MM fully guranteed. $5MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun).
  • Brooks Reed, LB (Falcons): Five years, $22.5MM base value. $6.9MM fully guaranteed. $4.7MM signing bonus (Twitter links via Wilson).
  • Brandon Browner, CB (Saints): Three years, $15MM base value. $7.75MM fully guaranteed. $3.9MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Ryan Mathews, RB (Eagles): Three years, $11MM base value. $5MM guaranteed. $3MM signing bonus (Twitter links via Wilson).
  • Terrance Knighton, DT (Washington): One year, $4MM. $2MM signing bonus (link via Troy Renck of the Denver Post).

AFC deals:

FA Rumors: Spiller, Bowe, Falcons, Ridley

March 13th, 2015 at 9:00am CST by Luke Adams

The rumors connecting C.J. Spiller to New Orleans continue to trickle in on Friday. After we heard on Wednesday that the Saints are “in the mix” for the former Bills running back, a Thursday report indicated that the team is “very high” on him. Today, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk suggests that strong interest is mutual.

The Saints have already re-signed Mark Ingram to a $4MM annual salary, and were cap-strapped heading into this week, but the team has made a number of cost-cutting moves, and could have more on the way. Spiller will likely command a deal in the same neighborhood as Ingram’s, so it’s possible that New Orleans will have the flexibility to complete such a deal, but nothing’s finalized yet.

Here’s more on free agency:

  • Following up on a Thursday report which suggested that the Browns have interest in Dwayne Bowe, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link) classifies Cleveland’s interest in Bowe as “strong.” Even after adding Brian Hartline in free agency, the Browns are probably in need of at least one more starting wide receiver.
  • After paying a visit to the Broncos, free agent safety Darian Stewart is headed to Atlanta to visit the Falcons, source tell Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Denver had been hoping to lock up Stewart to help replace the departing Rahim Moore, but the former Raven continues to weigh his options.
  • D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution adds (via Twitter) that the Falcons also plan on bringing in a tight end for a visit today, though it’s not clear exactly who that player will be.
  • Stevan Ridley and the Cowboys could be a good match on a one-year, prove-it deal, tweets Field Yates of ESPN.com. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe adds (via Twitter) that there’s “definitely interest” on both sides, but nothing is brewing at this point. Even if the Cowboys add a veteran free agent at running back, they’ll probably plan on addressing the position in the draft.
  • Veteran guard Justin Blalock had a good visit with the Lions, and also continues to draw interest from the Rams and Titans, tweets Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. We heard earlier in the week that the former Falcons guard had a visit with the Rams on his docket, so perhaps he’s headed to St. Louis next.

Saints Sign Brandon Browner

March 12th, 2015 at 4:58pm CST by Luke Adams

3:58pm: Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter) has different numbers. He hears that it’s a three-year, $15MM deal with $10MM guaranteed.

1:46pm: It’s a three-year deal worth roughly $18MM for Browner, says Rapoport (via Twitter).

1:38pm: The Saints have signed Browner to a three-year deal, tweets Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports.

1:05pm: The Saints are closing in on a deal with with Browner, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link), who hears from a source that it’s “almost finished.”

9:49am: As one cornerback expresses his discontent with the team, another corner is getting the hard sell from the Saints this week in free agency, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). According to Rapoport, the Saints have made a “major push” to sign former Patriot Brandon Browner, offering him more than $5MM per year.

Presumably, the Saints would like to add Browner to a secondary that also includes Keenan Lewis, but Browner could also represent an insurance policy for the team if the situation with Lewis isn’t salvageable. The veteran Saints corner indicated earlier this week that he’s uneasy about the moves New Orleans has made, and would like to be released if the club isn’t willing to guarantee the remaining years on his contract.

As for Browner, he hit the unrestricted market earlier this week after the Pats decided not to pick up his option. The veteran corner, who turns 31 in August, appeared in nine regular season games for New England in his suspension-shortened season. He recorded 32 total tackles, seven pass deflections, and one interception during that time. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) wasn’t wowed by Browner’s performance in 2014, ranking him No. 79 out of 108 qualified cornerbacks.

Elsewhere on the Saints front, we heard yesterday that the team is in the mix for C.J. Spiller and while that’s not a done deal yet, Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports tweets that the team is “very high” on the former Bills running back.

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