Rams Sign Quinton Coples
FRIDAY, 4:32pm: The Rams’ signing of Coples is official, as Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch tweets.
WEDNESDAY, 1:51pm: It will be a two-year contract with a base value of $6.5MM for Coples, according to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (Twitter link), who adds that the deal can max out at $9.75MM.
1:37pm: The Rams are signing defensive end Quinton Coples, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who reports (via Twitter) that the two sides have agreed to terms on a two-year contract. Coples paid a visit to the Rams earlier this week, having previously met with the Panthers.
Coples, selected 16th overall in the 2012 draft, was cut by the Dolphins last month before his fifth-year option for the 2016 season became fully guaranteed. The veteran edge defender had previously spent most of his career with the Jets, before being claimed off waivers by Miami last fall.
Coples had his best year as a pro in 2014, but even that amounted to just 35 tackles and 6.5 sacks, modest totals for a first-round pass rusher. When Todd Bowles took over as the Jets’ head coach a year ago, Coples was further marginalized in New York. Due to his poor fit in Bowles’ defense – and perhaps an alleged incident on a team flight, though Bowles denied that – the 25-year-old was waived by the club in November.
A fresh start should benefit Coples, and the Rams look like a good fit for him. With Robert Quinn, William Hayes, Aaron Donald, and Michael Brockers penciled in as the starters up front, Los Angeles should have a formidable defensive line even if Coples doesn’t contribute much. The former first-round pick will likely be a better fit in the Rams’ 4-3 system than he was as a 3-4 outside linebacker, so we’ll see if he can muster a bounce-back season in 2016.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/18/16
Here are today’s minor transactions from around the NFL…
- The Dolphins announced on Twitter that they’ve signed receiver Griff Whalen, who spent the first three years of his career in Indianapolis. Whalen totaled 19 receptions, 205 yards and a touchdown in 14 games last season. His best output came in 2013, when he amassed career highs in catches (24), targets (40), yards (259) and scores (two) in just nine games.
- The Colts have signed running back Jordan Todman, they announced via press release. The Colts are the fifth organization for Todman, a sixth-round pick in 2011 who was most recently with the Steelers. After combining for 147 touches (108 rushes, 39 receptions) from 2013-14, he totaled a mere four last season.
- The Chiefs tweeted the signing of linebacker Tautvydas Kieras, a native of Lithuania who attended Mississippi State. Kieras didn’t play college football there, however, instead starring in track and field. He set the school record in the discus.
- The Vikings have signed tight end Brian Leonhardt to a one-year, $600K deal, per ESPN’s Ben Goessling (on Twitter). Leonhardt has appeared in seven career games with the Raiders and 49ers since entering the NFL in 2014. He has seven catches and a touchdown to his name.
Patriots Sign Chris Long
FRIDAY, 4:00pm: The Patriots have announced the signing of Long, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe tweets.
WEDNESDAY, 5:23pm: Long will get $2MM on his one-year deal, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
TUESDAY, 8:21pm: The Patriots will sign Chris Long, according to Trey Wingo of ESPN (on Twitter). Long will now join a defensive line that has been weakened by today’s trade of Chandler Jones to the Cardinals. It’s a one-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
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The Rams cut Long on February 19 after he endured back-to-back injury-plagued seasons. The soon-to-be 31-year-old suited up for just 18 of 32 regular-season games during that span, but he’s reportedly “100% healthy” and since hitting the open market, Long has indicated that his priority would be to link up with a Super Bowl contender. The Patriots certainly fit the bill in that respect, and they have a connection to Long in in defensive assistant Brendan Daly, who was the D-line coach in St. Louis from 2009-11.
From 2010 to 2013 – his last four healthy seasons – Long totaled 41.5 sacks, an average of more than 10 per year. Considering he’ll turn 31 in a few weeks, though, and is coming off two seasons in which he totaled just four sacks, his earning potential was somewhat limited.
For comparison, Jones appeared in 15 games for the Patriots last year, totaling 44 tackles to go along with a career-high 12.5 sacks. The former first-round pick also added four forced fumbles, two passes defended, and his first career interception, earning a Pro Bowl spot for the first time. Needless to say, the Pats are badly in need of Long’s help on the D-Line if they hope to offer a tough defense in 2016.
Prior to signing with the Pats, Long was also being courted by the Cowboys, Falcons, and Washington.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
FA Rumors: Fitzpatrick, Steelers, Norwood
Only five players on our list of this year’s top 50 free agents remain unsigned, and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (No. 19) is the highest-rated player of that group. The Jets and Fitzpatrick have been at an impasse since free agency opened, with Fitzpatrick seeking a sizable raise and New York offering a more modest deal.
Speaking today to reporters, including Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter link), Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said that Fitzpatrick remains a “very good fit” for the team, adding that the goal is to eventually re-sign him. According to Rich Cimini of ESPN (Twitter links), Maccagnan declined to put a time frame on those talks, suggesting there’s no real deadline. The GM also confirmed that the Jets’ visit with Robert Griffin III was “due diligence,” and that the club remains focused on getting something done with Fitzpatrick.
As we wait to see if the two sides can reach an agreement, let’s check in on a few other free agent updates from across the NFL…
- The Steelers are hosting free agent linebackers Spencer Paysinger and Mike Morgan for visits today, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Neither player projects as a probable starter, so Pittsburgh is presumably looking to fill out its depth chart after losing Sean Spence to the Titans. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes (via Twitter) that the Dolphins would like to bring back Paysinger, but he wants to see if he can get more than the minimum salary from another club.
- Free agent wide receiver Jordan Norwood ended his visit with the Lions today without a deal in place, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. According to Birkett, Norwood – who also met with the Jets – has a visit with another team set up for next week, and has yet to make a decision.
- Offensive tackle Andre Smith, who signed with the Vikings, said today that his agent told him he would have a visit with the Cardinals, but that trip never happened (Twitter link via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press).
Eric Winston Re-Elected As NFLPA President
Veteran offensive tackle Eric Winston was re-elected today as the president of the NFL Players Association, the union confirmed in a press release. Winston, who is currently under contract with the Bengals, ran unopposed and will now serve his second two-year term at the head of the NFLPA.
With the NFLPA’s board of player representatives meeting this weekend in Hawaii, the union also made some changes to its executive committee. Ryan Clark, Jay Feely, Brian Waters, and Scott Wells, who are no longer NFL players, are now no longer a part of the NFLPA executive committee.
The newest additions to the executive committee, replacing the four departing members, are Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham, and Patriots offensive lineman Ryan Wendell. They’ll join a group that already includes Lorenzo Alexander, Zak DeOssie, Matt Hasselbeck, Mark Herzlich, Adam Vinatieri, and Ben Watson.
While the NFLPA’s new group of reps figure to deal with plenty of contentious issues over the next couple years, they won’t have to deal with the possibility of a looming lockout — the current CBA isn’t set to expire until after the 2020 season.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Alfred Morris To Visit Cowboys
Free agent running back Alfred Morris will make his first visit of the offseason on Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who reports (via Twitter) that Morris will head to Dallas to meet with the Cowboys. Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com first tweeted that the Cowboys were expected to host Morris on Monday.
A sixth-round pick in the 2012 draft, Morris made an immediate impact during his rookie season in Washington, amassing the third-most carries in the NFL (335) and finishing second in both rushing yards (1,613) and touchdowns (13). Morris declined the next two years, though he was still a productive workhorse, with at least 265 carries, 1,000 yards and seven TDs in both seasons.
The wheels came off in 2015, however, as the 224-pounder recorded personal worsts in carries (202), rushing yards (751), yards per attempt (3.7) and scores (one). Despite his statistical drop-off last season, which coincided with the arrival of 2015 third-rounder Matt Jones, it’s worth mentioning that Morris played his fourth consecutive 16-game season.
According to Mike Jones of the Washington Post (Twitter link), Morris received some interest from the Broncos before they brought back C.J. Anderson. However, with Denver presumably out of the mix, Morris will make his first visit with the Cowboys, who re-signed Lance Dunbar on Thursday. Darren McFadden is currently projected to be the top back on Dallas’ depth chart.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
West Rumors: Kaepernick, Clady, Mathieu
It looked increasingly likely last week that 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick would be on the move, with the Broncos and Browns among the teams exploring a potential deal. However, the tide appears to have turned on Kaepernick this week — at least for now.
Adam Schefter of ESPN.com is the latest to report that the 49ers look poised to keep Kaepernick on their roster beyond April 1, the date when his $11.9MM base salary for 2016 becomes fully guaranteed. That guarantee date won’t preclude the Niners from surveying trade options for the QB prior to – or during – this year’s draft though, so it’s possible that talks with the Broncos, Browns, or another club could re-ignite in a few weeks.
Let’s round up some other Friday updates from out of the NFL’s West divisions….
- There are four or five teams considering a trade for Broncos left tackle Ryan Clady, a source tells Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). Clady is available now that Denver has added Russell Okung. Still, given the modest contracts signed by Okung and Kelvin Beachum this week (both deals have team opt-outs after year one), I’d be a little surprised if any clubs are willing to give up much to take on Clady’s $9.5MM salary. Like Okung and Beachum, Clady is no sure thing going forward when it comes to health.
- During an appearance on PFT Live, Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu acknowledged that his lack of a defined position in Arizona’s secondary could complicate extension talks with the team. “It’s gonna be kind of a wrestling match,” Mathieu said of those contract negotiations. “But at the end of the day as long as we understand it’s a business and as long as we take care of our relationships I think it’ll be all right.”
- The Raiders have already had an extremely eventful offseason, but there’s a case to be made that they should still make one more splash. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com lays out that case, making an argument for why general manager Reggie McKenzie should make an effort to land Muhammad Wilkerson in a trade with the Jets.
- The 49ers have officially announced five coaching additions for Chip Kelly‘s staff, with the most notable changes coming on defense — Joe Bowden takes over as the team’s inside linebackers coach, replacing Hardy Nickerson, who left to become Illinois’ defensive coordinator.
Bills Sign Robert Blanton
After hosting free agent safety Robert Blanton for a visit today, the Bills didn’t let him leave without a new deal. According to agent Jason Bernstein (via Twitter), Blanton signed a contract with Buffalo.
Blanton, a fifth-round pick in the 2012 draft, spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Vikings. Although he primarily served as a special-teamer and the first safety off the bench during his time in Minnesota, Blanton did start 13 games in 2014, racking up 105 tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery.
For the Bills, Blanton projects as the third safety on the depth chart, replacing Bacarri Rambo, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com tweets. Rodak notes that the signing probably isn’t great news for players like Duke Williams or Jonathan Meeks, who may find themselves on the roster bubble in Buffalo.
Financial terms of the deal aren’t yet known, but it’s a one-year pact, per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Vikings Sign Andre Smith
FRIDAY, 12:57pm: The Vikings have officially announced their deal with Smith, confirming the signing in a press release.
THURSDAY, 11:12am: Smith’s one-year deal has a base value of $3.5MM, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
11:05am: The Vikings continue to fortify their offensive line, with free agent tackle Andre Smith announcing today (via Twitter) that he’s heading to Minnesota, having agreed to a one-year contract with the club.
“Minneapolis here I come,” Smith tweeted. “Excited to join the great Vikings organization today on a 1-yr deal!!#SKOLVikings!!”
Smith, the sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft, has been the Bengals’ starting right tackle for the last several seasons, making 73 starts in Cincinnati since first joining the club seven years ago. Although he has been a steady performer throughout his career, the 29-year-old became expendable in Cincinnati after the Bengals used their first two picks in the 2015 draft on offensive tackles.
Smith’s new deal with the Vikings will pay him up to $4.5MM, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News. Ben Goessling of ESPN.com notes (via Twitter) that it will feature $1MM in guaranteed money, while Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports says (via Twitter) that it sounds as if other options were on the table for Smith, who “really liked” the Vikings.
Earlier this week, Smith was said to be deciding between the Vikings and Cardinals, though Arizona GM Steve Keim downplayed his team’s interest in the veteran tackle in a radio interview this morning. It’s not clear whether the Cards’ interest in Smith was overstated, or whether Keim knew at that point that the free agent would end up in Minnesota.
Having initially pursued Kelechi Osemele in free agency, the Vikings have now added two solid veterans in Smith and Alex Boone. While Boone will be penciled in as a starter at guard, Smith may have to beat out Phil Loadholt and T.J. Clemmings to win the right tackle job.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Vikings Re-Sign Terence Newman
FRIDAY, 12:48pm: The Vikings have issued a press release formally announcing their new deal with Newman.
TUESDAY, 12:54pm: The Vikings will bring back the NFL’s oldest defensive back for one more season, reports Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link). According to Pelissero, Minnesota has agreed to terms with veteran free agent Terence Newman on a one-year, $3MM deal.
Newman, who will turn 38 in September, started all 16 regular-season games for the Vikings in 2015, his 13th NFL season. The veteran cornerback racked up 61 tackles, three interceptions, and 12 passes defended, and ranked a respectable 39th out of 111 qualified corners, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades.
Assuming the Vikings continue to view Newman as a cornerback, and don’t intend to move him over to safety, he’ll join returning teammates Captain Munnerlyn and Xavier Rhodes atop Minnesota’s depth chart at the position.
With 39-year-old Charles Woodson having retired after the 2015 season, Newman is on track to be the oldest defensive back in the NFL in 2016, and could also be the oldest defender at any position. James Harrison, who has not yet announced whether he’ll play another season, is only about four months older than Newman.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.