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Giants Prioritized Jabrill Peppers In Deal

By | at March 17, 2019 9:50 pm

Still unsigned, Darqueze Dennard remains an option for the Bengals. But the franchise looks to have given the cornerback a price point. The Bengals have not closed the door on a reunion with the sixth-year cornerback, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer, but they have since signed B.W. Webb and retained some of their own free agents. The most recent negotiations between Dennard and the Bengals revealed a disconnect, with the team viewing him as strictly a slot cornerback — and one they may not consider paying at the top-market slot price Justin Coleman just reset with the Lions. Dennard’s camp came in with an offer north of what Coleman just signed, proposing a deal north of $10MM per year with the Bengals, Dehner reports, adding the corner’s representation never came back to the table with the Bengals. The team was willing to keep Dennard at around $8.5MM AAV, but that was before reaching a deal with Webb. The new Bengal corner played for first-year DC Lou Anarumo with the Giants.

  • John Dorsey called Dave Gettleman on Monday to ask if Odell Beckham Jr. was indeed available. The Giants’ GM had twice said in 2019 he did not extend the wideout to trade him, but Gettleman told Dorsey he was, in fact, willing to move Beckham, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com notes. Dorsey had several Beckham trades planned, but Cabot adds the talks never included Emmanuel Ogbah or Duke Johnson. Both of those pre-Dorsey Browns investments are now on the trade block.
  • As for the player the Giants did obtain for Beckham, Jabrill Peppers profiled as one the Browns did not want to let go. Despite being a Sashi Brown-era draft choice, Dorsey wanted to keep the improving safety, per Cabot. But Cleveland’s second-year GM was not going to let Peppers stand in the way of acquiring Beckham. Gettleman was “adamant” about Peppers’ inclusion in this trade because of the Giants’ recent decision to let Landon Collins walk in free agency, Cabot adds. The Giants are planning a versatile role for the third-year safety. Peppers can be under Giants control through 2021 via the fifth-year option.
8 comments Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns New York Giants Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Patriots, Jets

By | at March 17, 2019 8:16 pm

Having ended their veteran quarterback search with a Ryan Fitzpatrick agreement, after pursuing Teddy Bridgewater and Tyrod Taylor, the Dolphins continue to embark on a rebuilding track. In fact, the word “tanking” came up during one of the team’s head coach interviews, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald notes. Chris Grier, as could be expected, denied the team will use 2019 to tank.

Often one of the most active teams during free agency, the Dolphins this year have parted ways with starters Ryan Tannehill, Josh Sitton, Ted Larsen, Andre Branch and Danny Amendola. They let Ja’Wuan James and Cameron Wake walk. This leads Salguero to the notion the Dolphins are indeed tanking with the prospect of being in best position to land a high 2020 draft pick and have cap space when that league year begins. As of now, early projections have the Dolphins at $107MM in 2020 cap space — second in the league behind the Cowboys. And with Dallas set to extend several young talents, Miami looks poised to lead that pack. Fitzpatrick has made at least eight starts in a season nine times; his teams finished with a winning record in one of those seasons. Sunday’s move lends further credence the Dolphins are targeting the 2020 quarterback class.

Here is the latest from the AFC East:

  • Rob Gronkowski has not given the Patriots his decision on if he will continue his career in 2019, but if the future Hall of Famer wants an extension, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe notes this cannot happen until August 30 — a year after his previous contract adjustment, per an NFL rule. Long dissatisfied with a contract he agreed to in 2012, Gronkowski would be entering the final year of that deal if he returned for 2019. The Patriots could approach Gronk about a pay cut, however, at any point this offseason, per Volin. Gronkowski is due a $10MM salary and to count $11.86MM on the Patriots’ cap. The latest word on Gronk’s status is a return for a 10th season is more likely than a retirement.
  • Conversely, a Tom Brady extension can happen at any point this offseason. Since the Patriots did not adjust their quarterback’s cap number via the unmet incentives last year, Volin notes they can extend his contract before the 12-month mark from when the team included those incentives. Brady’s deal appears likely to be adjusted, with the 41-year-old passer’s contract-year cap figure sitting at $27MM.
  • Dialogue about the trade that moved the Jets up to last year’s No. 3 overall pick began at the 2018 Senior Bowl, with Jets VP of player personnel Brian Heimerdinger approaching Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds that January about a possible trade, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com notes. Christopher Johnson emphasized the Jets focus on quarterback scouting in 2017, primarily Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen. The Jets targeted No. 3 overall because their sources indicated to them the Giants were zeroing in on Saquon Barkley, Cimini adds. Gang Green put its plan B into action a year ago today after Kirk Cousins spurned them.
  • The Dolphins are interested in acquiring a fullback, which marks a change from recent years. Specifically, they are exploring the addition of Michael Burton, per Salguero. Burton was Pro Football Focus’ No. 2-rated fullback last season but only played 49 snaps, not enough to qualify for full-time status. Only five fullbacks did meet those standards, illustrating this position’s scarcity on most teams. If not Burton, a four-year veteran who has played in Detroit and Chicago, Miami may target another UFA blocking back.
  • Prior to LaAdrian Waddle signing with the Bills, the Patriots conveyed interest in bringing him back, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com notes. The Pats kept an open dialogue with their swing tackle but were not willing to match the Bills’ offer, Reiss adds.
7 comments Christopher Johnson Indianapolis Colts Miami Dolphins New England Patriots New York Giants New York Jets

Latest On Eli Manning, Jabrill Peppers

By | at March 17, 2019 12:24 pm

  • Paul Schwartz of the New York Post writes that the Giants are very excited about the acquisition of Jabrill Peppers, part of New York’s return in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade. Per Schwartz, Big Blue sees Peppers as a classic strong safety, but the club will take full advantage of his versatility. Peppers will not line up in the same position from snap to snap and will be asked to line up deep, up near the line, at slot cornerback, and at nickel linebacker. New York brass has been heavily criticized for the OBJ deal, but if Peppers can live up to his draft pedigree, that will go a long way towards the Giants’ rebuild.
  • Eli Manning will not collect his $5MM roster bonus until tomorrow, per Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv (via Twitter). It had previously been reported that Manning earned his bonus yesterday, all but ensuring that he will remain with the Giants in 2019. But Vacchiano says Manning is still expected to return next season and that he will not be cut within the next 24 hours.
  • Paul Schwartz of the New York Post writes that the Giants are very excited about the acquisition of Jabrill Peppers, part of New York’s return in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade. Per Schwartz, Big Blue sees Peppers as a classic strong safety, but the club will take full advantage of his versatility. Peppers will not line up in the same position from snap to snap and will be asked to line up deep, up near the line, at slot cornerback, and at nickel linebacker. New York brass has been heavily criticized for the OBJ deal, but if Peppers can live up to his draft pedigree, that will go a long way towards the Giants’ rebuild.
8 comments Green Bay Packers New York Giants Philadelphia Eagles San Francisco 49ers

NFC Notes: Giants, Diggs, Easton

By | at March 16, 2019 4:56 pm

Eli Manning collected his $5MM roster bonus Saturday afternoon, essentially ensuring he will be with the Giants for a 16th season. This confirms what has been reported throughout the offseason. Less certain: whether or not this will be the year the Giants draft a true option to be Manning’s successor. After early indications that move would be coming this year, that now appears far from a locked-in strategy. Not only are the Giants not believed to be looking to package their Nos. 6 and 17 picks to move into the top five for a quarterback, sources informed The Athletic’s Mike Lombardi the team is not enamored with any of the passing prospects in this year’s draft (subscription required). This follows an SNY report that pegged the Giants as less bullish on Dwayne Haskins, the most popular Giants mock pick at this point. Issues with Kyler Murray‘s height also may persist among Giants brass, though that may be a moot point given that Murray could be the No. 1 overall pick.

The Giants may be looking to solidify their defense, which is full of holes, instead of using a first-round selection on a quarterback. Shifting away from the Giants, here is the latest from the NFC:

  • Interesting NFL art emerged this weekend. Stefon Diggs‘ brother shared an image of the Vikings wide receiver in a Redskins uniform, but this does not appear to be an indication of another wide receiver trade. A Vikings source emphatically informed ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter there has been no talk of dealing Diggs to Washington (Twitter link). (A Redskins source informed ESPN.com’s Dianna Russini, via Twitter, they may not be in position to make such a move.) The Diggses are from Maryland, which may be at the root of this Photoshop job.
  • Three teams remain in the mix for Nick Easton, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (on Twitter). The Vikings submitted an offer to their two-year starter, who also visited the Saints. These two comprise two-thirds of the interior lineman’s suitor list, with an unnamed third team also in the mix, per Tomasson. Easton wants to make his decision by Monday. It’s possible Max Unger‘s retirement prompts the Saints to make a stronger push for Easton, but they have two veteran salaries and Andrus Peat‘s fifth-year option price allocated to their offensive line.
  • In case you missed it, the Rams are set to host five-year Jaguars starter Blake Bortles on a visit.
4 comments Minnesota Vikings New Orleans Saints New York Giants Washington Commanders

Giants Wanted 49ers’ No. 2 Overall Pick For Odell Beckham Jr.

By | at March 16, 2019 2:38 pm

More consistently interested in acquiring Odell Beckham Jr. than the Browns, the 49ers again pursued the superstar wide receiver this offseason. But the Giants’ asking price was high.

The Giants wanted the 49ers’ No. 2 overall pick for Beckham, Jay Glazer of The Athletic reports (subscription required). The 49ers were not willing to deal that high-value selection away.

San Francisco had targeted Beckham during the 2018 offseason and then once the season started, per Glazer, but the Giants stood pat. They ended up acquiring the Browns’ Nos. 17 and 95 picks, along with Jabrill Peppers. Other teams with whom Glazer spoke categorized the Giants’ initial asking price as too high.

The 49ers’ lone receiver move this offseason has been Jordan Matthews, whom the Eagles picked up as a street free agent in September. Kyle Shanahan‘s team may be targeting a wideout with one of its non-first-round picks, or another via trade, but for now, its top targets remain Marquise Goodwin and Dante Pettis.

As for the Giants’ reasoning to deal one of the most talented players in franchise history, Glazer attributes the move to the team souring on its three-time Pro Bowl talent — at least, from an off-field perspective — and wanting to gear their offense more around Saquon Barkley. Pat Shurmur intervened last year to scuttle trade talks, and Beckham was on board with the new coach’s regime, Glazer adds. As the team started slowly, Beckham’s comments about Eli Manning had Shurmur “furious”, perhaps helping the Giants’ relationship with Beckham become, as Glazer describes, “fragmented” to the point the team was ready to move on.

With Beckham gone, the Giants now have Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard atop their wideout depth chart. The team will eat $16MM in dead money because of the Beckham deal. New York holds just more than $16MM in cap space currently.

27 comments New York Giants San Francisco 49ers

Contract Details: Foles, Tate, Crowder, Desir

By | at March 15, 2019 9:38 pm

Let’s take a look at the details of a few recently-signed NFL contracts:

10 comments Buffalo Bills Cleveland Browns Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Las Vegas Raiders New England Patriots New Orleans Saints New York Giants New York Jets

Giants Sign DL Olsen Pierre

By | at March 15, 2019 9:13 pm

The Giants have signed defensive lineman Olsen Pierre, the club announced today.

Pierre, like new Giants safety Antoine Bethea, will offer New York familiarity with defensive coordinator James Bettcher‘s scheme, as Bettcher coached Pierre in Arizona in 2017. A Miami product, Pierre posted 5.5 sacks and nine quarterbacks in his year under Bettcher. Last season, his production dipped before he was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury in December.

Pierre will play five-technique defensive end in Bettcher’s 3-4 scheme. The Giants are currently projected to start Dalvin Tomlinson and R.J. McIntosh in those spots, and given that both played relatively well in 2018, Pierre may slot in as a reserve.

5 comments New York Giants Transactions

Giants Not Looking To Move Up For QB?

By | at March 15, 2019 5:05 pm

The Giants’ moves to add veterans Kevin Zeitler and Golden Tate while also trading one of the most talented players in team history in Odell Beckham Jr. have confused many this week. Eli Manning‘s status appears to be unchanged as well, further complicating New York’s status.

While the Giants’ acquisition of the No. 17 overall pick could be interpreted as gaining a major asset in an effort to move up and draft Manning’s successor, that may not be the Dave Gettleman-led front office’s line of thinking. The team is not believed to be interested in packaging its two first-round picks to move up for a quarterback, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report notes.

Instead, many around the league believe the Giants are targeting a defensive lineman with their No. 6 overall choice, with Miller adding those sources point to Big Blue targeting a quarterback or wide receiver with the Browns pick.

Mentioned earlier this offseason as being likely to draft a quarterback with an early-round pick, and if so they would select Manning’s heir apparent in Round 1, the Giants then shocked the football-following world by trading Beckham to the Browns. The Giants could be in position to land Dwayne Haskins at No. 6, but that is not certain. Two quarterbacks have gone of the board in the top five in the past four drafts.

New York also has significant needs on defense. Olivier Vernon and Landon Collins are now on other teams, leaving the Giants with little in the way of long-term pieces at any defensive position. (Though, they do have Dalvin Tomlinson and B.J. Hill up front.) So it would be understandable if the team felt it had to address its defense early. But by the time the Giants pick at No. 17, assuming that is where they stay for their second first-round pick, Kyler Murray, Haskins and possibly Drew Lock will be off the board.

15 comments New York Giants

Contract Details: Williams, Webb, Verrett

By | at March 15, 2019 2:47 pm

Here are the latest particulars in recently agreed-upon contracts, courtesy of the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson (unless otherwise noted).

0 comments Chicago Bears Cincinnati Bengals Denver Broncos Green Bay Packers Las Vegas Raiders New England Patriots New York Giants New York Jets San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks

Contract Details: Funchess, LaCosse, Golden

By | at March 15, 2019 1:09 pm

Some assorted contract notes from around the NFL:

  • Devin Funchess, WR (Colts): One year, $10MM. $7MM guaranteed via roster bonus. $3MM base salary. $3MM in incentives for receptions, receiving yards, TDs, Pro Bowl, All-Pro. Twitter link via Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star.
  • Tyrann Mathieu, S (Chiefs): Three years, $42MM. $26.8MM guaranteed, $14.8MM signing bonus. Base salaries: $850K (2019), $1.15MM (2020), $14.5MM (2021, nonguaranteed). Details via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
  • K.J. Wright, LB (Seahawks): Two years, up to $15MM (original story). $8MM in 2019, including $5MM signing bonus, $1.5MM base salary, $1.5MM roster bonus. Second year isn’t guaranteed. Twitter link via ESPN’s Brady Henderson.
  • Matt LaCosse, TE (Patriots): Two years, $2MM, $500K guaranteed for 2019 (original story). Base salaries: $700K (2019), $1MM (2020). $300K signing bonus, $25K per-game bonus. $500K in playing time/receptions incentives. Twitter link via Nick Underhill of The New Orleans Advocate.
  • Markus Golden, LB (Giants): One year. Worth up to $4.75MM, $2.225MM guaranteed. Twitter link via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
  • Cameron Fleming, OT (Cowboys): Two years, $8.5MM. 2019: $1MM base salary, $1.5MM signing bonus, $2.25MM cap number. $300K for 60-percent playing time, $600K for 70-percent. Twitter link via ESPN’s Todd Archer.
  • Bruce Ellington, WR (Patriots): One year, $25K guaranteed. Twitter link via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.
6 comments Dallas Cowboys Indianapolis Colts Kansas City Chiefs New England Patriots New York Giants Seattle Seahawks Transactions
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