Saints To Re-Sign Zach Strief
9:33am: The deal, which is actually guaranteed for $8.4MM, features a $5.5MM signing bonus, a source tells ESPN.com’s Mike Triplett (Twitter link).
9:09am: According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), Strief’s deal is worth $4.1MM per year, which would put it at $20.5MM over five. Wilson adds that it includes $8.5MM in guaranteed money.
8:48am: Offensive lineman Zach Strief will be signing a new contract with the Saints today, agent Ralph Cindrich tells Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. It’s a five-year deal, according to the team (via Twitter). Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com had reported earlier this morning (via Twitter) that the two sides were meeting today and getting close to working out an agreement.
Strief, 30, has spent the first eight years of his NFL career in New Orleans, including the last three as the club’s starting right tackle. According to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), the former seventh-round pick enjoyed his best season in 2013, ranking as the league’s best right tackle and grading especially well as a pass blocker.
As I suggested on Friday, a new contract for Strief will be a challenge for the Saints to squeeze into their cap space, even after the team traded away Darren Sproles and extended Pierre Thomas. As we saw with their signing of Jairus Byrd though, the Saints have shown a willingness to get creative with the cap numbers on long-term contracts, so it’ll be interesting to see what the numbers on Strief’s deal look like.
The Dolphins reportedly had interest in bringing in Strief for a visit, but the tackle decided not to visit Miami, focusing instead on working out a new deal with the Saints.
Visit Updates: Manningham, Britt, Bridgewater
Several notes on player visits:
- Receiver Mario Manningham will meet the Giants on Monday, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN. Manningham played for the Giants from 2008-2011 before signing with the 49ers.
- Receiver Kenny Britt will meet with the Redskins after he visits the Patriots, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. We noted earlier today that Washington was attempting to schedule a visit with the free agent.
- Linebacker Will Herring visited the Cowboys on Saturday, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. A previous deal between the two parties fell through.
- The Chiefs met with offensive tackle J’Marcus Webb, according to ESPN’s Adam Caplan (Twitter link).
- Caplan also tweets that fullback Erik Lorig met the Saints, who do not have a fullback on the roster after non-tendering Jed Collins.
- Linebacker Rob Jackson will meet with the Raiders, per Mike Jones of the Washington Post (via Twitter).
- Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater met with the Vikings staff, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
NFC Contract Details: Hatcher, Jennings, Cards
Jason Hatcher told reporters today that the Redskins blew away the competition with their pitch and offer to him, and Tom Pelissero of USA Today brings us the specifics of Hatcher’s deal (via Twitter). The four-year, $27.5MM deal includes $10.5MM in guaranteed money, made up of a $9MM signing bonus and a $1.5MM guaranteed base salary in 2014.
Here are more details on contracts signed for players by NFC teams this week:
- While Rashad Jennings‘ four-year deal with the Giants can apparently max out around $14MM, it only has a base value of $10MM, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
- Matt Shaughnessy‘s two-year contract with the Cardinals includes a $1.4MM signing bonus, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Pelissero tweets that there’s a “trigger” of sorts including in the deal, in the form of a $500K roster bonus due next March.
- Jonathan Dwyer‘s one-year deal with the Cardinals is a minimum salary benefit contract. Wilson tweets that the base salary of $730K is non-guaranteed, while Dwyer also got a $65K signing bonus.
- Meanwhile, another Cardinals signee, Ted Larsen, gets two years and $2.6MM, with a $470K, tweets Pelissero. The deal also features per-game roster bonuses and additional escalators, as Pelissero explains.
- The Vikings‘ one-year pact with Derek Cox doesn’t include any guarantees, according to Pelissero (via Twitter). It features a $730K base salary, a $50K workout bonus, and $220K in potential playing time incentives, meaning it can max out at $1MM.
- Domenik Hixon‘s one-year contract with the Bears is worth the minimum salary ($730K), but the receiver can earn up to $100K in roster bonus money, tweets Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com. Dickerson adds (via Twitter) that M.D. Jennings has a similar deal, though the safety’s minimum salary is $645K.
- Ramon Humber received a minimum salary benefit deal from the Saints, with a $65K signing bonus and $300K in overall guaranteed money, tweets Wilson.
NFC Rumors: Saints, Cowboys, Peppers, Guion
Having reportedly turned down an opportunity to meet with the Dolphins, free agent tackle Zach Strief expects to re-sign with the Saints, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). It’d be interesting to see Strief sign back with New Orleans, since he was expected to do well on the open market and the Saints don’t have a lot of cap flexibility. As we saw with the Jairus Byrd contract though, the team could find a way to squeeze him in, particularly with Darren Sproles‘ deal off the books.
Here are a few more brief notes from around the NFC:
- The Cowboys have shown interest in recently released defensive end Julius Peppers, according to Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. In search of defensive line help, the team also plans to host Henry Melton, as we heard earlier.
- Former Vikings defensive tackle Letroy Guion is considering the Ravens, Patriots, and Packers in free agency, says Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (via Twitter). According to Tomasson, Guion, who has already visited New England, will meet with Green Bay on Sunday unless he has a deal in place before then.
- Darryl Tapp‘s new one-year deal with the Lions is a minimum salary benefit contract, with a base salary of $855K and a signing bonus of $65K, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. It’ll count against Detroit’s cap for $635K.
No Deal For Brandon Browner, Patriots
11:33am: Breer and Rapoport hear from Redskins sources that Browner’s visit, which was called off as of this morning, is now back on for this afternoon (Twitter link).
9:29am: We now have conflicting reports coming even from the same reporter. Acknowledging how messy the story has become, Albert Breer says he’s hearing from two Redskins sources that Browner’s visit has been called off, even though agent Peter Schaffer still says it’s a go (Twitter links).
9:09am: Once again, we have conflicting reports on Browner, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk hears that today’s visit with the Redskins is still happening. According to Florio’s source, the meeting was delayed, not canceled.
FRIDAY, 8:37am: Although Browner had been scheduled for a visit in Washington next, he’s still in the Boston-area this morning and continues to talk to the Patriots, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson and Field Yates (Twitter links). Ian Rapoport hears that the visit with the Redskins may have been canceled, while Albert Breer says Washington is under the impression Browner may do a deal with New England (Twitter links).
THURSDAY, 9:45pm: Agent Peter Schaffer tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that reports of Browner signing with New England are “100% untrue.” Schaffer added that he has four teams to still negotiate with. Meanwhile, Rapoport tweets that the cornerback is telling those close to him that he is New England-bound. Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune (on Twitter) says those four teams are the Patriots, Saints, Redskins, and Raiders.
9:10pm: Brandon Browner and the Patriots have come to an agreement on a two-year deal, reports Ian Rapaport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Browner must serve his four-game suspension to begin 2014.
The giant Browner, who is among the tallest cornerbacks in the league if not the tallest, will be paired with Darrelle Revis when he gets back from suspension. The former Seahawk had previously played across from another one of the league’s best defensive playmakers in Richard Sherman.
Browner will be 30 years old at the start of the upcoming season, and has only played three seasons in the NFL, all with the Seahawks. Browner was also suspended in 2011, also for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
Saints To Re-Sign Ramon Humber
The Saints and linebacker Ramon Humber have agreed to terms on a new contract, according to Greg Bensel, the team’s senior VP of communications (Twitter link). It’ll be a one-year deal for Humber.
Humber, appeared on defense in 12 regular season games for the Saints in 2013, starting three of those contests, though his playing time was limited. The 26-year-old, who has played in New Orleans since 2010, was a primary contributor on special teams as well, recording eight tackles for that unit last season.
FA Rumors: Campbell, Melton, Browner, Mack
Offensive lineman Bruce Campbell, who was originally thought to have a deal with the Redskins, will visit the Giants today, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Last we heard on Campbell, there were some issues with his physical, but Washington remained on the table as a destination. According to Zac Boyer of the Washington Times (via Twitter), the Redskins’ offer stands, though perhaps it’s not the same offer that Campbell initially agreed to, given the health concerns.
Here are the latest updates on a few more free agents on the board, plus one that recently came off it:
- After sticking around Minnesota overnight, defensive tackle Henry Melton is on his way to Seattle to visit with the Seahawks, says Josina Anderson of ESPN (via Twitter).
- While his agent negotiates with the Patriots and Raiders, free agent cornerback Brandon Browner will first visit with the Redskins today and then head to New Orleans to meet with the Saints, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.
- Center Alex Mack is in no hurry to sign his transition tender from the Browns, agent Tim Younger tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. According to Mack’s agent, his client intends to make some visits to teams at some point, but there are none on the docket quite yet.
- The Cowboys showed no signs of wanting to re-sign Jason Hatcher before he landed with the Redskins, the defensive lineman himself told KRLD-FM yesterday, according to Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I know the [Cowboys’] fans are upset. They should be,” Hatcher said. “They have all the right in the world to be. But I made the right decision for me. If we could’ve made it work out we would’ve, but I’m in a great place with the Redskins, a great organization. I’m looking forward to getting back to football.”
Extra Points: Smith, Munnerlyn, Neal
Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn told reporters, including Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter), that he wanted a three-year deal with the Vikings rather than four years so that he could get another contract before he turns 30. He added (link) that it was very tough for him to say goodbye to the Panthers, but Carolina couldn’t afford to give him the same contract. More from around the NFL..
- Steve Smith‘s visit with the Ravens is going well so far, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- The Steelers were eyeing Mike Neal in free agency before he re-signed with Green Bay, tweets Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The linebacker got a two-year, $8MM deal from the Packers with a $2.5MM signing bonus.
- Charlie Whitehurst had the same offer from the Chargers before he picked the Titans, tweets Paul Kuharsky of ESPN. The quarterback inked a two-year deal with a $4MM base with another $4MM in incentives and $2MM guaranteed.
- New 49ers addition Jonathan Martin told reporters, including Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter), that he never considered retirement.
- Former Bucs left tackle Donald Penn is flying to Oakland tonight to visit the Raiders, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Penn has been heavily linked to the Raiders since his release.
- The 49ers don’t have much salary cap space and it’s hard to see them signing both a cornerback and a wide receiver, tweets Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
- Larry Holder of The Times-Picayune (on Twitter) expects the market for Saints free agent center Brian de la Puente to heat up now that the first wave of free agency has come and gone.
- Henry Melton‘s possible legal trouble won’t prevent the Bears from re-signing him, but they could use it as ammunition as they try to knock his price down, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com.
FA Rumors: Clark, Browner, Finnegan
Ryan Clark‘s visit with the Redskins went well, but there’s no deal yet, tweets Mike Jones of the Washington Post. However, Washington is still talking with the former Steelers safety. More from around the league..
- The Saints are among teams looking at cornerback Brandon Browner, according to ESPN’s John Clayton (via Mike Triplett’s Twitter). The recently reinstated cornerback is also reportedly visiting with the Redskins and Patriots.
- Former Rams and Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan will visit with the Dolphins tomorrow, tweets Albert Breer of NFL Network.
- Bears GM Phil Emery planned to speak with Henry Melton‘s agent after the defensive end met with teams and gauged his market, tweets Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com. However, the clock is ticking for Chicago as their cap room is dwindling.
- The Redskins have had talks with Reed Doughty, but it doesn’t sound like anything is imminent, tweets Mike Jones of the Washington Post. It’s still a “work in progress,” a source tells Jones.
- 49ers free agent running back Anthony Dixon tweets that he’s on his way to Buffalo to visit the Bills.
- It sounds like Antonio Cromartie‘s meeting with the Cardinals was more of a feeling out than anything, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
- The door isn’t shut on Alex Mack and the Colts, but the odds have gone down drastically, tweets Mike Wells of ESPN.
Eagles Acquire Darren Sproles From Saints
9:23am: The Eagles have officially announced the transaction (Twitter link).
8:14am: The Eagles will send a fifth-round pick to the Saints in the deal, according to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). According to Field Yates of ESPNBoston.com (via Twitter), it’s the pick Philadelphia had acquired from New England for Isaac Sopoaga.
7:55am: Having already re-signed Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper this offseason, Chip Kelly‘s offense in Philadelphia is adding another intriguing offensive weapon. The Eagles have reached an agreement with the Saints to acquire running back Darren Sproles in a trade, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
Sproles, 30, was initially expected to be cut by New Orleans this month, but when they received strong interest in trade talks for the versatile veteran, the Saints decided to trade him instead. The Redskins had reportedly been making a push to acquire Sproles, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweeted this morning, but according to the Washington Post (via Twitter), the team was reluctant to part with draft picks. In the end, the Redskins lost out on Sproles to their division rivals.
Although Sproles is technically a running back, he did most of his damage in recent years through the passing game. During his three seasons with New Orleans, the former fourth-round pick recorded 1,067 rushing yards on 188 carries, and 1,981 receiving yards on 232 receptions, with 21 total offensive TDs (five rushing, 16 receiving).
While rumors of a Sproles trade swirled this week, the running back himself expressed some frustration about learning of the talks through Twitter updates, and said yesterday that he’d prefer to be cut instead of traded, so he could control his own future. Still, despite the presence of No. 1 back LeSean McCoy in Philadelphia, it’s hard to imagine he’ll be upset with his landing spot, since he should have a great opportunity to shine in Kelly’s offense during a contract year.
The Saints will be on the hook for $750K in dead money, the amount of the prorated bonus money remaining on Sproles’ deal. For the Eagles, the running back will be owed a $3.4MM base salary, plus a $100K workout bonus, in the final year of his contract.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.