New Orleans Saints Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

NFC Notes: Redskins, Bears, Graham

By Rob DiRe | at February 1, 2014 4:52 pm

New Redskins’ head coach Jay Gruden has decisions to make on how much of the Bengals’ offensive scheme he will implement, and how much of the Redskins’ system he will keep, write Rich Tandler and Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com. Tandler notes that at Gruden’s introductory press conference, the new coach mentioned that he liked how effective the Redskins zone blocking was in 2013. That would bode well for the interior of the offensive line already in place, as the team could look to keep Kory Lichtensteiger, Will Montgomery, and Chris Chester. Of those three, only Chester’s cap hit is high enough to provoke a release. However, if Gruden does bring over the power blocking scheme the Bengals employed, El-Bashir writes that the offensive line must be completely retooled to be a bigger, stronger unit. Here is some other news from the NFC:

Bears’ center Roberto Garza has not yet begun talks of a new contract for the 2014 season, but believes there is still a shot he is back with the team next season, writes Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “Obviously I want to be back there,” Garza said. “They told me they want me back, so we’ll see.”
Finley also wrote that another Bears free agent, Charles Tillman, would be open to all teams if Chicago doesn’t re-sign him, and would be particularly excited to find a new home in Tampa Bay with his old coach Lovie Smith. “Obviously, it makes the deal probably a little sweeter just because it’s a former head coach,” Tillman said. “You do know the system, you know the scheme.”
Drew Brees made headlines last week by saying that he thought of Jimmy Graham as a tight end rather than a receiver, but now emphasizes that regardless of position, he only cares that Graham is playing for the Saints, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Brees appeared on the Dan Patrick show on Friday, to make it clear his feelings on the situation. “I want Jimmy back!” Brees said. “I want Jimmy Graham back!”

NFC Notes: Peppers, Vick, Strief

By Matt Feminis | at February 1, 2014 8:53 am

The Bears had perhaps the worst defensive season in team history in 2013. One of the main contributing factors was the subpar season of high-priced defensive end Julius Peppers, who too often was a non-factor. At a cost of over $14MM against the salary cap, Peppers recorded just 7.5 sacks and failed to impact games on a week-to-week basis. Now 34, Peppers has two years remaining and is scheduled to count approximately $18.2MM against the cap in 2014 and approximately $20.7MM against the cap in 2015. Those figures are obviously unreasonable given his deterioration and the Bears’ laundry list of needs. In his most recent mailbag for ESPN Chicago, Michael C. Wright says Peppers would “absolutely” restructure his deal, but also details a scenario in which Peppers is cut post-June 1 with the thinking that swallowing a moderate dead-money cap hit is more palatable in order to save money.

More news and notes from around the NFC:

Wright does not envision the Bears re-signing any of their key free agents-to-be before the start of free agency, saying “most” of the Bears 25 players with expiring contracts will be elsewhere next season.
Michael Vick knows he won’t be back in Philadelphia, but does not see himself as a backup. Vick “very badly” wants a chance to start, according to the Philadelphia Daily News’ Les Bowen (per Twitter).
In an analysis of the Saints‘ needs, ESPN.com’s Mike Triplett said there’s a “strong chance” stalwart right tackle Zach Strief could depart via free agency, saying the 30-year-old could start for anyone. That observation might not be that far off, as Pro Football Focus rated Strief as the best right tackle in the game in 2013 (subscription required).
The Giants and safety Stevie Brown, who missed 2013 because of a torn ACL, are discussing a contract, according to Pro Football Talk.

0 comments Chicago Bears New Orleans Saints New York Giants Philadelphia Eagles Julius Peppers Michael Vick Stevie Brown Zach Strief

NFC Rumors: Redskins, Graham, 49ers

By Luke Adams | at January 29, 2014 2:44 pm

The Redskins expect to be active in free agency this offseason, and it sounds like the team anticipates plenty of overall roster turnover. GM Bruce Allen told CSN Washington that the club will be adding “about 20 new players” for the 2014 season, according to Tarik El-Bashir. Considering the Redskins are coming off a 3-13 campaign, don’t have a first round pick, and will have significant cap space for the first time in the last several years, it figures to be an interesting offseason in Washington.

Let’s round up a few more items from around the NFC:

Jimmy Graham is a strong candidate for the franchise tag, meaning his position will be a point of contention next month, since the gap between the franchise tag for tight ends and wide receivers is $4MM+. Taking that disparity into account, the Saints likely appreciate Drew Brees‘ input on the matter. Appearing on NBC Sports Radio, Brees argued that Graham is a tight end, suggesting that tight ends aren’t always used traditionally in the team’s offensive scheme. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has the details.
The 49ers will have the opportunity to extend Aldon Smith‘s contract this offseason, but may be better off simply exercising his fifth-year option, putting off extension talks for another year, says Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, with an assist from cap expert Joel Corry.
Suspended Seahawks defensive back Brandon Browner is trying not to get caught up in the financial ramifications of his current situation, as he tells Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Browner, who will miss the Super Bowl as he continues to fight a ban that could force him to miss the 2014 season, is eligible for free agency this offseason, and would have been in line for a major payday if not for the suspension.
While the Packers need to add some playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, linebacker figures to be a lower priority than the defensive line or secondary this spring, writes ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky.
Concerned about waiting too long to fill out their staff, the Browns bypassed Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and hired Mike Pettine as their head coach last week. According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (via Twitter), Quinn admits that he would have wanted to wait until after the Super Bowl to have a second interview with the Browns.

2 comments Cleveland Browns Green Bay Packers New Orleans Saints San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Washington Commanders Brandon Browner Dan Quinn Jimmy Graham

NFC Notes: Saints, Eagles, 49ers, Goodwin

By Luke Adams | at January 28, 2014 10:47 am

2014’s Super Bowl Media Day has been fairly uneventful so far, so with little news of interest coming out of the Prudential Center in Newark, let’s take a look at what else is going on around the league, with a focus on a few NFC teams…

In examining the Saints’ running back situation, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com writes that the backfield looks fairly stable, though he wonders if the team could look to save a little money by trading or releasing Pierre Thomas this offseason.
With Michael Vick headed for free agency, Sheil Kapadia and Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com discuss the Eagles‘ options at backup quarterback for 2014.
Jonathan Goodwin, who has been the 49ers‘ starting center for the last three seasons, is facing free agency this season, and it may be an opportunity for the team to get younger on the offensive line, says Bill Williamson of ESPN.com. As Williamson points out, the Niners don’t have too many pressing needs and top college centers usually aren’t drafted high, so the club could target one with a second- or third-round pick.
Williamson adds within the same piece that some observers think Goodwin will have interest in signing with the Cardinals in Arizona, where his brother Harold is the offensive coordinator.
The Redskins are projected to have $28MM+ in cap space this winter, and could gain another $2MM if the player’s union takes advantage of its option to increase the spending limit this offseason, notes Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com.

0 comments Arizona Cardinals New Orleans Saints Philadelphia Eagles San Francisco 49ers Washington Commanders Jonathan Goodwin

Poll: What Should Saints Do With Graham?

By David Kipke | at January 26, 2014 6:54 pm

Earlier this weekend, we discussed Jimmy Graham’s developing contract situation. After Saints owner Mickey Loomis said that the team was prepared to use its franchise tag on the fourth-year All-Pro tight end, Graham said that he was “not too keen” on the franchise tag.

Because Graham has established himself as the premier tight end in the NFL over the past three seasons, many expect the Saints to prevent the 27-year-old Miami (FL) grad from hitting the free agent market. However, it remains to be seen if the Saints are ready to offer Graham a long-term extension. Two years ago, the Saints found themselves in a similar situation with Drew Brees, in which the team waited until just before the July deadline to sign Brees to a lucrative extension.

What do you think? Is Graham worth the long-term commitment right now? Or should the Saints play it safe and simply employ their franchise tag?

Should the Saints Extend Jimmy Graham?

Yes 79% (60)
Use Franchise Tag 17% (13)
No 4% (3)

Total votes: 76

0 comments New Orleans Saints PFR Polls Jimmy Graham

Graham: Franchise Tag “Unfortunate”

By Rob DiRe | at January 24, 2014 10:08 pm

After today’s Pro Bowl practice, Jimmy Graham was asked about Saints general manager Mickey Loomis’ comments earlier this week at the Senior Bowl, where Loomis confirmed what many already thought, that the Saints were prepared to use the franchise tag on Graham if they could not come to terms on a long-term-deal, as Kevin Patra of NFL.com writes.

“I’m not keen on the franchise tag, that would be really unfortunate, but that is really all I have to say about that one,” Graham responded. “If that happens, it doesn’t really matter what I prefer.”

In what is gearing up to be an ugly contract negotiation that very well indeed may end up with Graham playing next season under the franchise tag, Loomis also added a little fuel to the fire when discussing Graham’s position on the football field.

“This business about what position he is? I think he’s a tight end,” Loomis said. “That’s where we drafted him, that’s where we play him. … That’s what makes him valuable.”

Being a tight end makes Graham valuable specifically because the Saints could place the franchise tag on him for a much cheaper price. Last year, a franchised tight end would cost roughly $6MM, where a franchise tag on a wide receiver would cost in the area of $10.5MM, a huge difference for a team trying to fill its roster against the cap.

His position is a point of contention because according to ESPN Stats & Information, Graham lined up as a tight end only 33% of snaps for the Saints offense. The other 67% he was either lined up in the slot or out wide.

While most pundits and fans expect Graham never to hit the open market this offseason, it does not mean that both parties will be happy during these contract talks.

0 comments New Orleans Saints Jimmy Graham

Extra Points: Bailey, Titans, Saints, Cards

By Zachary Links | at January 23, 2014 10:14 pm

They say that kickers don’t get any respect, but the Cowboys know how important a reliable leg can be. Kicker Dan Bailey got a six-year deal from Dallas earlier this week and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (via Twitter) has the goods. The deal, starting in 2015, can be worth $22.5MM in total including a $4MM signing bonus and $7.5MM in guaranteed money. More from around the NFL..

The Titans are likely to target the tackle position in the 2014 draft, writes John Glennon of The Tennessean. The Titans could part ways with veteran right tackle David Stewart, a nine-year veteran who has missed a combined eight games over the past two years and is due a $6.4MM salary. Even if they keep him, they could still fortify the position.
Saints GM Mickey Loomis has some tough decisions to make in the offseason, writes Katherine Terrell of the Times-Picayune. For starters, he’ll have to decide the fates of longtime Saints such as safety Roman Harper ($5.9MM cap hit in 2014) and linebackers Will Smith ($13.9MM) and Jonathan Vilma (free agent in 2014).
The Cardinals announced that they have promoted Terry McDonough to vice president of player personnel. He replaces Jason Licht, the new Buccaneers GM.
Clifton Brown of CSNBaltimore.com (video link) analyzed Terrell Suggs‘ contract situation with the Ravens.

0 comments Arizona Cardinals Baltimore Ravens Dallas Cowboys New Orleans Saints Tennessee Titans Dan Bailey

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By Luke Adams | at January 21, 2014 11:45 am

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