Giants Sign Walter Thurmond
1:06pm: The team has officially announced the transaction.
8:48am: The deal is worth $3.5MM, tweets CBSSports’ Jason La Canfora.
8:41am:The Giants have agreed to a one-year deal with former Seahawks cornerback Walter Thurmond, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter (via Twitter). It was a very busy Saturday night and early Sunday morning for the Giants, as they added both Thurmond and Quintin Demps to their defensive backfield over the course of a few short hours.
Thurmond was a valuable part of Seattle’s tremendous secondary last season, and he visited with the 49ers, Jaguars, and Redskins before agreeing to terms with the Giants. He missed four games in 2013 due to a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy, but he did record 24 tackles to go along with one interception and one sack, and he could fill the slot corner role vacated by Terrell Thomas.
Even after acquiring Thurmond and Demps, New York may not be done adding to its secondary. The team still has a visit scheduled with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie later today (Twitter link), and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that the Giants “want him badly” but that any potential deal would of course depend on the length and terms of the contract.
NFC East Rumors: Kelly, Spencer, Giants, Britt
Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer offers an explanation as to why the Eagles, traditional big-spenders in free agency, have not splurged on outside players this offseason, despite having $24MM in salary cap space. And it’s not just because the team has been burned in the past by ill-advised, big-money deals; it’s also about scheme. Rather than pursue the premier free agents on the market, the Eagles instead “targeted specific players they thought fit their scheme, could provide in-roster competition, and were versatile enough to help on special teams.”
Furthermore, as Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com writes, head coach Chip Kelly believes the team has spent heavily this offseason, but the Eagles spent the money to retain their own players and view free agents from outside teams as complements to the core of their roster. The strategy that Kelly and general manager Howie Roseman have followed adheres to the blueprint Roseman laid out last month, and it suggests the Eagles have turned a corner in the franchise’s approach to free agency.
Here are some more notes from the NFC East:
- We learned earlier today that Henry Melton will still visit with the Cowboys as planned, but Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News reports that “talks have heated up” with several teams. In a separate post, George writes defensive end Anthony Spencer will be visiting the Rams on Sunday. The Cowboys remain interested in bringing Spencer back if the price is right.
- Steve Serby of the New York Post believes the Giants are losing the offseason battle to their divisional rivals, but that was before the team landed Quintin Demps and signed Walter Thurmond.
- The Redskins may be throwing their hat into the Kenny Britt ring, with Albert Breer of the NFL Network tweeting that the team is working on scheduling a visit with the receiver.
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.
FA Rumors: Weeden, Browner, DRC, Clark
Count the Cowboys among the teams with interest in Brandon Weeden following the signal-caller’s release from the Browns, writes Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. According to Archer, even though the Cowboys believe Kyle Orton will return next season to back up Tony Romo rather than opting to retire, the team could carry three quarterbacks on its 53-man roster. Here’s more on a few free agents who either remain on the market or recently agreed to deals:
- Albert Breer and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network hear from Redskins sources that Brandon Browner hadn’t arrived at Redskins Park for his free agent visit as of close of business today (Twitter link). Meanwhile, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (Twitter link) hears that Browner remains in New England, attempting to hammer out a deal with the Patriots. We recapped the odd back-and-forth developments in the Browner story in an earlier post.
- Following Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie‘s visit with the Jets, the cornerback will meet with the Giants, assuming he doesn’t yet have a deal in place, reports Conor Orr of The Star-Ledger.
- The Panthers have showed interest in free agent safety Ryan Clark, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter).
- Wide receiver Steve Smith said on a conference call today that before he agreed to sign with the Ravens, the Chargers made him an offer and the Redskins and Seahawks also expressed interest (Twitter link via Joseph Person).
- B.J. Raji received interest from the Raiders and Chiefs before he agreed to re-sign with the Packers, tweets Ian Rapoport. I imagine it’s no coincidence that the general managers in both Oakland and Kansas City have roots in Green Bay.
Giants, Jameel McClain Agree To Deal
FRIDAY, 4:48pm: McClain’s deal with the Giants is for two years and $4.1MM, with the potential to max out at $5.6MM via incentives, according to Pelissero, who provides extensive details in a pair of tweets.
THURSDAY, 9:44pm: Linebacker Jameel McClain has agreed to a deal with the Giants, reports Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports (via Twitter).
The 28-year-old McClain has played his entire career with the Ravens, spending the last four years as a starter at various positions in the linebacker group. He announced his signing with the Giants (via Twitter), paying respect to Baltimore in the process.
He will be joining a group of linebackers that includes Jon Beason and (most likely) Spencer Paysinger. McClain’s versatility should help him fit in, even as he adjusts to the 4-3 defense employed by the Giants, as opposed to the 3-4 consistently run by the Ravens. McClain has missed nine games in the past two seasons, but hopes to provide stability for a Giants team that has not had a steady group of linebackers in recent memory.
Giants Sign Jon Beason To Three-Year Deal
FRIDAY, 3:05pm: Beason’s deal with the Giants is now official, the team announced today.
THURSDAY, 9:02am: Beason’s new contract with the Giants is for three years and $19MM, including $7MM guaranteed, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.
WEDNESDAY, 12:50pm: The Giants have reached an agreement with free agent linebacker Jon Beason on a contract that will keep him in New York, reports Aditi Kinkhabwala of the NFL Network (Twitter link). The NFL Network’s Kimberly Jones first reported that a deal between the two sides was close (via Twitter).
Beason, 29, was said to be the Giants’ top priority even before free agency began, and the club was finally able to lock him up after he had a chance to test the market. Since he was representing himself, Beason wasn’t able to negotiate with clubs over the weekend, so he likely gauged his own value over the last 24 hours or so before deciding to re-sign in New York. The Broncos were among the teams rumored to have interest in the veteran linebacker.
Pro Football Focus’ metrics ranked Beason 47th out of 55 qualified inside linebackers last season, in large part due to poor grades in pass coverage. However, the ex-Panther piled up 93 tackles and an interception in just 12 games with the Giants.
FA Rumors: Vikings, 49ers, DRC, Cowboys
Vikings GM Rick Spielman spoke to reporters on a conference call today, and indicated that his team is “not by any means finished” in free agency, and will continue to be aggressive in exploring potential upgrades (Twitter links via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press). According to Spielman, the Vikings still have interest in free agents Charlie Johnson and Kevin Williams, and have spoken to Williams’ agent recently (Twitter links via Tomasson).
Here are plenty more afternoon free agent rumors from around the NFL:
- After meeting with the Chiefs today, Emmanuel Sanders‘ next visit will be with the 49ers, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The free agent wide receiver, who has also visited the Jaguars and Buccaneers this week, will be staying in Kansas City overnight, so the Chiefs still have a chance to lock him up before he reaches San Francisco, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
- Ian Rapoport of NFL.com gets the sense that Julian Edelman‘s visit with the 49ers is more a feeling out process for both sides than an indication anything is imminent (Twitter link).
- Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is heading to New York tonight to meet with the Jets, reports Schefter (via Twitter).
- The Seahawks have expressed interest in bringing back wide receiver Sidney Rice, who was released by the club earlier in the offseason, writes Jayson Jenks of the Seattle Times.
- In addition to having some interest in Julius Peppers, as we heard earlier, the Cowboys are keeping an eye on Jared Allen and would be interested if his price falls, writes Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- Free agent tight ends Jermichael Finley and Ed Dickson don’t appear to be in the Giants‘ plans for now, says Jordan Raanan of NJ.com (via Twitter).
- Free agent guard Daryn Colledge met with the Rams today, and is now off to meet with the Raiders, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
- The Bengals have confirmed that two offensive linemen, Vlad Ducasse and Uche Nwaneri, both visited the team today, tweets Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Giants Sign J.D. Walton
FRIDAY, 1:12pm: Walton’s deal is a two-year, $5MM contract with $3MM in guaranteed money, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link). That’s not an insignificant commitment for a player who has had so much trouble staying on the field.
WEDNESDAY, 4:11pm: The Giants have signed center J.D. Walton, tweets Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Walton hasn’t seen the field since Week 4 of the 2012 season.
The Broncos released Walton, who once looked to have serious upside at the center position, in December. The severely broken ankle that he suffered in 2012 took him out of action without a real return date in sight, leaving Denver with no other options. The Redskins quickly picked him up, but he couldn’t get back on the gridiron for the 2013 season. Now, he’ll try and get healthy once again in New York.
Justin Tuck Discusses Giants’ Offer
When the Raiders and Justin Tuck agreed to a two-year, $11MM deal yesterday, one of the first details reported suggested that the veteran defensive end gave the Giants a chance to match the offer before he agreed to it. However, Tuck tells Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News today that the Giants wouldn’t have necessarily had to match the $11MM to keep him around.
According to Tuck, he would’ve been willing to return to New York for something in the neighborhood of two years and $8MM, but the the Giants’ final offer was worth less than $6MM for two years. Tuck, 30, confirms that even though he spoke to team owner John Mara after receiving the offer he eventually accepted from the Raiders, the Giants were unwilling to increase their own offer.
Tuck stressed that he was grateful for his time in New York, where he spent the first nine seasons of his NFL career, but was disappointed to be leaving on this note.
“I’m just frustrated with how it ended. I’m upset about it,” Tuck said. “But I’ll move on and hopefully one day time will heal all wounds. Right now, I just don’t understand a lot that’s gone on and how they strung us along.”
Contract Details: Munnerlyn, Dawson, McBride
Here are a few extra details on contracts that have been agreed to and signed in recent days:
- Captain Munnerlyn‘s three-year contract with the Vikings, initially reported to be worth $14.25MM, is actually worth $11.25MM, but another $3.3MM can be added through escalators and incentives, says Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter). The deal includes $4.45MM guaranteed in guaranteed money, but Pelissero tweets that due to a small signing bonus, it could potentially just turn into a one-year contract if 2014 doesn’t go well.
- According to Pelissero (via Twitter), the two-year contract Phil Dawson signed with the 49ers is worth a total of $6.134MM and came with a $2MM signing bonus.
- The two-year deal Trumaine McBride inked with the Giants is worth $2.875MM, with a $100K signing bonus and $900K in roster bonuses, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- Wilson (via Twitter) has Will Herring‘s one-year contract with the Cowboys as an $855K base salary plus a $65K signing bonus. That would seem to suggest it’s a minimum salary benefit deal, but Wilson says the total is $1.02MM, which indicates there’s another $100K in bonuses somewhere. Either way, $300K of the deal is guaranteed, says Wilson.
- According to Wilson (via Twitter), Phil Costa‘s contract with the Colts features base salaries of $1.2MM (2014) and $1.5MM (2015), with no bonuses. $450K of Costa’s first-year salary is guaranteed.
- Wilson adds (via Twitter) that Henry Hynoski‘s $1MM contract with the Giants includes a $250K signing bonus.
- Although we heard yesterday that Chris Williams‘ contract with the Bills included a 2016 “trigger point,” when Williams was owed a significant roster bonus, the deal has been modified since being entered in the NFLPA system, says ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak. Instead of having a $1.5MM signing bonus and $2.5MM roster bonus in ’16, the deal now features a $3.5MM signing bonus and $250K roster bonus.