West Links: Rams, Raiders, Harbaugh
Prior to the Jaguars adding Stefen Wisniewski on Saturday, the Rams researched the former Raiders center and maintained interest in him as an option to become their starting center, reports Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Now, the Rams could opt to look in-house for their next snapper.
Unrestricted free agent Scott Wells regressed badly last season in 16 games for the Rams, rating as the worst center in the league, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Entering his third season, Barrett Jones will likely receive the first shot at succeeding Wells after arriving in St. Louis as a fourth-round pick in 2013, per Thomas. But he’s actually less-experienced than in-house competitor Tim Barnes, who started four games for an injured Wells in ’13. The tandem combined for just 32 snaps last season.
Thomas also notes the team’s brought in nine offensive linemen for visits, including Florida State’s Cameron Erving, with holes to fill at center, guard and right tackle.
Here are some more items from the Western divisions.
- Despite being staunch in his position that there was no rift between former 49ers head coach and the players, Alex Boone admitted that Jim Harbaugh wore out his welcome in San Francisco, according to the staff at CSNBayArea.com. “I think he just pushed guys too far. He wanted too much, demanded too much, expected too much. You know, ‘We gotta go out and do this. We gotta go out and do this. We gotta go out and do this.’ And you’d be like, ‘This guy might be clinically insane. He’s crazy,’” Boone said. “I think that if you’re stuck in your ways enough, eventually people are just going to say, ‘Listen, we just can’t work with this.’”
- The Seahawks have their starting quarterback position settled, with Russell Wilson ingrained as the starter for the foreseeable future, but the rest of the depth chart is still up in the air. Currently, B.J. Daniels and R.J. Archer remain on the roster, but Tarvaris Jackson could very well return as the team’s primary backup, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. He picks Wilson-Jackson-Daniels as his most likely trio for the final roster.
- The issue of whether Oakland and Alameda can come up with a solution on keeping the Raiders long-term could generate some clarity in the next two weeks, report San Francisco Chronicle reporters Phil Matier and Andy Ross. The NFL is reportedly pressing for answers on this matter, which is coming down to how a new Bay Area stadium will be financed. NFL representatives met with city officials in Oakland and the Raiders on Wednesday while also taking summits with team executives and Carson officials a day later, according to the report. Both the Raiders and Oakland city and county officials have expressed they cannot afford to pay for a stadium costing around $1 billion on their own.
- Expected to claim the Broncos‘ No. 3 wide receiver job behind Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders this season, Cody Latimer admits he fell behind in his quest to learn how to play in a Peyton Manning-paced offense last season, reports Troy Renck of the Denver Post. “I was in the playbook, but I could have done even more. When I actually got it, it was too late. It was just way different (than college),” Latimer told Renck. “I would know the play, then Peyton would change it.”Rob DiRe contributed to this report
Stevie Brown Narrowing Down Offers
SUNDAY, 2:08pm: The Titans have not offered Brown a contract and aren’t “currently in the mix” for him, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.
SATURDAY, 2:40pm: Safety Stevie Brown is reportedly narrowing down his free agent choices, currently mulling over five or six offers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Twitter). Some of the teams that have expressed interest in the 27-year old former seventh-round pick include the Cowboys, Falcons, Titans, and Raiders, writes Schefter.
The Giants are also interested in keeping Brown in New York. He is expected to come to a decision soon.
Brown began his career with the Raiders and Colts, before coming to the Giants in 2012 where he picked off eight passes to go along with 76 tackles in his breakout campaign.
The Dallas Morning News originally ran with the story as reported by Schefter, before updating the story to contradict the report. According to a source, the Cowboys have not had any interest in Brown.
Draft Notes: Beasley, Jones, Dunkley, Delaire
Our own Ben Levine collected a number of notes surrounding prospects for the upcoming NFL Draft earlier today, and as they keep pouring in, here are some additional notes from around the NFL:
- The Raiders have sent four of their people to South Carolina to get a closer look at Clemson pass rusher Vic Beasley, reports Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. Beasley would be a slight reach at fourth overall, and isn’t a perfect scheme fit, but could be an interesting prospect especially if the team is serious about trading down.
- Connecticut cornerback Byron Jones has been rising up draft boards, and could be a day-one selection by the time the NFL Draft commences. Jones has visits lined up with the Cardinals, Cowboys, Eagles, Bills, Bears, and 49ers, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
- South Florida cornerback and return specialist Chris Dunkley will be visiting with the Ravens, Patriots, Bills, and Lions next week, according to Wilson. He has already met with the Falcons, Dolphins, and Chargers.
- Wilson also writes that Towson pass rusher Ryan Delaire will be attending both the Ravens and Washington’s local prospect days. Delaire had his medical recheck this weekend, and seems healthy. He could be an interesting prospect in the later rounds of the draft.
- University of Akron receiver Zach D’Orazio had a private workout with the Browns today, according to George Thomas of Ohio.com. D’Orazio is a former quarterback, who has the size and speed to present a matchup advantage running routes out of the slot.
Reaction To Stefen Wisniewski Signing
The Jaguars came to terms with one of the more interesting free agents of this offseason in Stefen Wisniewski, signing the former Raider to a one-year deal worth $2.5MM.
Here is some reaction from around the league about Wisniewski’s value, interest, and NFL future:
- Wisniewski also visited with the Patriots, Seahawks, Titans, and Washington in free agency, writes Ryan O’Halloran of Jacksonville.com.
- One reason the Seahawks might have been hesitant to pursue Wisniewski more adamantly is that the center would likely cost a compensatory draft pick, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter).
- Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News believed the Vikings had some interest in Wisniewski, but the team never called to pursue him. (via Twitter).
- Many Raiders fan were hoping the team could re-sign Wisniewski to play guard next to free agent acquisition Rodney Hudson, but neither the player nor team were interested in that arrangement, according to Bill Williamson of ESPN (via Twitter). Williamson believes the coaching staff did not think very highly of him as a player (via Twitter). He adds that Wisniewski could be added to a long list of recent Raider draft picks to not make it to their second contract in Oakland (via Twitter).
- The one-year deal will allow Wisniewski to prove his value before reaching free agency again next offseason, where he could command a larger contract, writes Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1 (via Twitter).
AFC Mailbags: Ravens, Rivers, Carr, Jags
We took a look at ESPN.com’s NFC mailbags earlier this morning. Let’s now shift our focus over to the AFC…
- The current group of Ravens tight ends have a combined one NFL start, and Jamison Hensley believes the draft will present an opportunity for the team to acquire a veteran. The writer suggests Brandon Pettigrew (Lions) or Marcedes Lewis (Jaguars) as potential targets.
- Considering Rich Cimini can’t envision Marcus Mariota dropping to pick number six, he doesn’t think a Philip Rivers trade will work out between the Jets and the Chargers. However, if Mariota were to be available, the writer says the Jets would need to get a long-term commitment from Rivers before pulling the trigger.
- Bill Williamson would be “stunned” if the Raiders drafted Marcus Mariota and traded Derek Carr. The team’s coaching staff is counting on Carr to be part of the future of the organization, so a shift in philosophy would be a “major storyline.”
- Besides an edge rusher, wideout Amari Cooper would be the only other player the Jaguars would consider with the third pick, opines Mike DiRocco.
Draft Notes: Goldman, Ravens, Washington
As the draft approaches, many prospects will be invited to team’s local prospect days for an opportunity to display their talents. The Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson has collected a bunch of those workout notes, which we’ve collected for you below…
- Florida State defensive lineman Eddie Goldman will be meeting with the Jaguars. The projected late first-round pick will also meet with a variety of other teams (Twitter link).
- Penn State safety Adrian Amos was invited to the Ravens local prospect day. He had a private workout with Chip Kelly and the Eagles earlier this week (Twitter link).
- Delaware linebacker David Mackall has also been invited to the Ravens local prospect day. The former Maryland transfer finished last season with 84 tackles, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery (Twitter link).
- Wake Forest wideout E.J. Scott was invited to the Ravens local prospect day. The fifth-year senior finished 2014 with 50 catches for 513 yards and four touchdowns (Twitter link).
- Maryland linebacker Cole Farrand was also invited to the Ravens local prospect day. The All-Big Ten honorable-mention finished last season with 118 tackles last season, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries (Twitter link).
- Bowie State tight end Khari Lee has been invited to the Ravens local prospect day. Lee already worked out for 24 teams during his pro day (Twitter link).
- New Mexico running back Crusoe Gongbay has been invited to Washington‘s local prospect day. The senior ran for 354 yards and three touchdowns last season (Twitter link).
- Stony Brook receiver Adrian Coxson will attend Washington‘s local prospect day. The Maryland transfer previously attended the Jets and Giants local pro days (Twitter link).
- West Georgia quarterback Austin Trainor has Pro Days with the Buccaneers, Raiders and 49ers. The signal-caller went undrafted during last year’s draft (Twitter link).
Raiders Interested In Adrian Peterson
The Raiders had the worst rushing attack in the NFL in 2014 and still don’t have a proven running back on their roster capable of taking the pressure off young quarterback Derek Carr, but that might change soon. The NFL Network reports that the Raiders have shown interest in acquiring six-time Pro Bowler Adrian Peterson, writes Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. 
The 30-year-old Peterson sat out all of last season because of domestic violence issues, but the league reinstated him earlier this week. Despite being under contract with the Vikings for three more years, the former MVP’s future in Minnesota is uncertain and he could end up traded prior to next season.
If the Vikings do deal Peterson, the Raiders could be a fit because of both their need for a top-end back and their available cap space. Oakland has plenty of salary room for Peterson, whose cap hit exceeds $15MM in each of the remaining years of his contract (it’s $15.4MM in 2015).
The Raiders’ cap situation is much better than that of the Cowboys, who have been linked to Peterson this offseason. Oakland has roughly $12MM more to spend than Dallas, per Smith, but he also notes that Peterson to the Bay Area is unlikely because the rebuilding Raiders aren’t an expensive, over-30 player away from contention. Nonetheless, given the Raiders’ dearth of offensive weapons, it’s a situation that bears watching as the offseason progresses and Peterson’s future becomes clearer.
Draft Notes: Winston, Beasley, Gurley, Dawson
Here are the latest draft-related updates from around the NFL:
- The Buccaneers are undaunted by Florida State quarterback’s Jameis Winston’s latest legal problems, according to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune (Twitter link). Cummings believes Winston will be the Bucs’ choice at No. 1 overall.
- The Raiders worked out Clemson pass rusher Vic Beasley on Friday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Oakland sent a four-man contingent headed by defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. to observe Beasley, who is Clemson’s all-time sacks leader and a candidate to be the Raiders’ first-round pick (fourth overall).
- Beasley might not make it to Oakland’s pick, as the Jaguars – who own No. 3 overall – had defensive line coach Todd Wash follow up with the 22-year-old, Rapoport tweeted. Jacksonville worked out Beasley earlier this month.
- Georgia running back Todd Gurley will visit the Patriots next week, reports Mike Giardi of CSNNE.com. Gurley is a potential fit for the Patriots in the first round, in which they hold the 32nd overall selection.
- TCU linebacker Paul Dawson has visited the 49ers and Chiefs and had a private workout with the Falcons, writes Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. He also met with the Rams and Saints at his Pro Day workout.
Extra Points: L.A., Dolphins, Chiefs, 49ers
Rounding up the latest NFL news as Thursday comes to a close. . .
- Howard Balzer tweets that Rams, Raiders, and Chargers representatives will update their Los Angeles stadium plans next Wednesday and Thursday. Additionally, Balzer reports that a St. Louis task force will meet with league officials and six owners next week to discuss a potential new stadium. The Rams, who have played in St. Louis’ Edward Jones Dome since 1995, are free to break their lease and relocate after next season. The same holds true for the Raiders and Chargers.
- The Dolphins have shown significant interest in cornerbacks and wide receiver prospects this year, and two of their latest pre-draft visitors happen to play those positions. Connecticut corner Byron Jones and Ohio State wideout Devin Smith are both on the team’s radar, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
- The Chiefs had an official visit with Pittsburg State cornerback De’Vante Bausby on Wednesday, reports Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link). Bausby, who was in attendance at KC’s local pro day last week, will likely be a late-round pick in the draft.
- The 49ers will hold their local pro day on Friday. One of the 65 players who will partake is older than all but three members of the 49ers’ roster. That player is Nate Boyer, 34, a former Green Beret and Iraq war veteran who didn’t play organized football until the age of 29. The ex-University of Texas long snapper could land a contract with the 49ers, according to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch, who notes that the team has carried two players at the position in recent years.
Adrian Peterson Rumors: Thursday
Following Adrian Peterson‘s reinstatement, the next step to address is where he will play next season, for how much and for whom.
Here are some of the rumors circulating so far …
- The Vikings have stated publicly, albeit very briefly today, they want the All-Pro runner in their backfield again, but Michael Rand of the Minneapolis Star Tribune examines if they should want him back. He calls into question Peterson’s age (30) and his cap figure ($15.4MM) that dwarfs every other running back at a time in which the position’s value has never been lower. While Peterson was out last season, Teddy Bridgewater zoomed to the forefront of the Vikings from a marketing standpoint as well as serving in a leadership role, and Rand wonders how it would affect the locker room for the emerging quarterback to take a backseat to someone with Peterson’s reputation.
- While the Cardinals and Cowboys are the most-rumored frontrunners, the Raiders are a stealth candidate here, writes Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman after speaking with multiple general managers. The Raiders have the fifth-most cap space in the NFL at just more than $20MM and may be willing to bring Peterson aboard at his current deal, considering they have the financial resources, lack star power and were the bidders pushing the Eagles for DeMarco Murray last month.
- Peterson not mentioning the Vikings in his statement today caught the eye of the Dallas Morning News staff, with the Peterson-to-Dallas angle already scrutinized for years. Not surprising considering Peterson’s demand to leave Minnesota hasn’t been a secret. A theory similar to LeBron James not mentioning Andrew Wiggins or Anthony Bennett in his SI essay, though, still requires a trade to continue the narrative. The Cowboys, however, do outflank the Cardinals — Peterson’s other rumored suitor — in terms of cap space with more than $12MM to the Cards’ $9MM+.
- Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic writes a trade to the Cardinals, which remains in play should the Vikings move off their stance, would likely require a re-done contract.
- The Cardinals’ interest in Peterson could come from the fact they’ve had a shaky track record when it comes to using high draft picks on running backs, writes Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. Injuries derailed their last two runners taken — Ryan Williams (2011) and Beanie Wells (2009). Their most successful two ball-carriers selected in the past 25 years have been Thomas Jones (2000) and Garrison Hearst (1993). Both peaked elsewhere during long careers.
- Although most analysts have pinpointed the draft as the prime Peterson trade window, Ben Goessling of ESPN.com writes the saga could drag on to minicamp June 16-18, which represents the first time Peterson could be fined for his absence. The running back has a $250K workout bonus. Goessling interprets the Vikings’ terse message as an ultimatum for Peterson to return unless they’re blown away with a trade offer. They might be the only team willing to work with his massive contract, which will be a critical chip in this staredown.