Vikings Re-Sign DE Justin Trattou
MARCH 18, 12:47pm: The Vikings have officially re-signed Trattou, the team confirmed in a press release.
MARCH 12, 5:24pm: The Vikings have reached an agreement to re-sign defensive end Justin Trattou, as Trattou himself announced on Instagram. Speaking to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Trattou confirmed it’s a one-year deal.
“Couldn’t be more excited to be part of the best young team in the NFL,” Trattou said. “There is no ceiling on what we can accomplish and I’m excited to be part of it. Can’t wait to get back to work.”
The 27-year old Trattou only managed to play in five games last season as he dealt with a foot injury, but despite seeing just 22 defensive snaps on the year, he somewhat miraculously posted two interceptions. After spending a week unemployed after the Vikings waived him in December, Trattou admitted that he received an offer to join another club, but declined the overture, saying he wanted to remain Minnesota. Trattou, who also plays a bit on special teams, will stay with the Vikings for a fourth season after spending the first two-and-a-half years of his career with the Giants.
Trattou made the veteran’s minimum in 2015, and I’d expect that he’ll be paid the same during the upcoming season, especially given how little he played last year.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Pigskin Links: Broncos, C. Jones, Draft
Here at Pro Football Rumors, we deliver up-to-the-minute news on NFL transactions and high-quality original analysis. Each week, we also feature some of the best blog articles from around the web in our regular feature, Pigskin Links.
We’re looking for interesting reads on all things football from blogs of all sizes. While PFR is dedicated to player movement, Pigskin Links is open to pieces on all areas of the game. If you would like to suggest your blog post (or someone else’s) for Pigskin Links, send us an email with the link and a brief synopsis at PigskinLinks@gmail.com.
Here’s this week’s look around the football blogosphere:
- Wayniac Nation is watching the Broncos and the rest of the quarterback carousel.
- Today’s Pigskin says the Pats will be fine without Chandler Jones.
- NFL Draft Report rated the 2016 draft’s quarterback class.
- NFL Spin Zone graded the Raiders‘ free agent signings.
- Spunkmeyer On Sports says Washington needs to change its name.
- Total Sports Live ID’d some players the Eagles should consider signing.
- The Sooksite has some interesting picks in its latest mock draft.
- Cover 32 has been let down by the Dolphins‘ offseason.
Got a great football blog post that you want to see featured in next week’s Pigskin Links? Email it to Zach or tweet it to him: @ZachLinks.
FA Rumors: N. Robinson, Blanton, Bills, 49ers
Veteran NBA guard Nate Robinson raised some eyebrows last week when he suggested that he intended to try his hand at earning a spot on an NFL roster. It seemed that Robinson’s NFL dream may have fallen by the wayside several days later, when he signed to play basketball in Israel, but apparently the 31-year-old hasn’t given up quite yet on the idea of making a move to football.
“After I get back from playing [in Israel], I’m going to go get ready to train, and get ready to go to the NFL,” Robinson told basketball reporter David Pick (Twitter link).
Despite the fact that Robinson originally attended the University of Washington on a football scholarship, his age and his lack of football experience over the past decade makes him a long shot to realize his NFL dream, but it could be a fun story to follow if he commits to making it happen.
Here’s more from around the NFL as free agency continues:
- Free agent safety Robert Blanton is paying a visit to the Bills on Friday, marking the first time this month that Buffalo has hosted a defensive free agent, the team announced in a press release. Although Blanton made 13 starts for the Vikings in 2014, he has primarily been a special-teamer and a part-time defensive player during his four NFL seasons.
- Before he agreed to re-sign with the Packers, running back James Starks drew interest from the Dolphins, tweets Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. According to Jackson, the team and Starks’ agent had “multiple conversations” in recent days. Having also missed out on Lamar Miller, C.J. Anderson, and Chris Johnson, the Dolphins continue to search for running back help.
- Free agent cornerback Antwon Blake ultimately agreed to sign with the Titans, but he had no shortage of potential suitors when he was on the market. Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com tweets that Blake garnered interest from the Steelers, Patriots, Jets, Lions, and Giants.
- Head coach Chip Kelly is perfectly fine with the 49ers not venturing much into free agency this offseason, suggesting that the team doesn’t want to pay solid players like superstars. Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle has the details and the quotes from Kelly.
NFC North Notes: H. Smith, Lions, Packers
It looks like a matter of when, not if, standout safety Harrison Smith will sign an extension with the Vikings, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News. Wolfson hears that talks between the two sides are expected to pick up before the end of the month.
Smith, 27, is entering the final year of his contract and is coming off his first Pro Bowl season. So far this offseason, most of the new deals signed by noteworthy safeties – including Malcolm Jenkins, Tashaun Gipson, Rodney McLeod, and George Iloka – have ranged from $6-9MM per year, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Smith exceed all of those when he eventually re-ups with the Vikings.
Here’s more from around the NFC North:
- Free agent wide receiver and return man Jordan Norwood is paying a visit to the Lions today, per Mike Klis of 9NEWS (Twitter link). Norwood, who visited the Jets earlier this week, appeared in 11 regular-season games for the Broncos last season, amassing 22 receptions and 11 returns — he also set a new record for the longest punt return in a Super Bowl (61 yards).
- With Russell Okung headed to Denver, the Lions may have to address the left tackle position via trade or in the draft, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Riley Reiff is currently penciled in as the starter, but some in the organization feel he’s better suited to play right tackle, and he’s only under contract for one more season anyway.
- Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com offers one reason why Packers GM Ted Thompson may be mostly avoiding free agency in 2016, suggesting that Green Bay will need plenty of cap space a year from now for potential free agents like David Bakhtiari, T.J. Lang, Josh Sitton, and others.
Ravens’ Tray Walker Seriously Injured In Motorcycle Accident
Ravens cornerback Tray Walker is in critical condition at Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital after having been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident on Thursday night, a team spokesman said (link via Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com). According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Walker spent all night in surgery and is “fighting for his life.”
“Oh, my God, this is devastating news,” head coach John Harbaugh said in a statement late Thursday night. “Our prayers and hopes are with Tray and his family tonight.”
According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, via Hensley, Walker was headed westbound on Northwest 75th Street on a dirt bike when he collided with a Ford Escape heading southbound on Northwest 21st Avenue. Police said Walker’s bike didn’t have lights and that he was wearing dark clothing.
A fourth-round pick in 2015, Walker played sparingly for the Ravens during his rookie season, seeing some time on special teams but appearing in just eight defensive snaps.
Our thoughts and best wishes go out to Walker and his family.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFL Draft Rumors: Goff, Patriots, Lions
Could Jared Goff go No. 1 in this year’s draft? Of course, the Titans won’t be taking a QB, but one NFL GM tells Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (via Twitter) that he believes another team could trade up into the top spot to grab the Cal quarterback.
While we wait to see if that might happen, here’s a look at the latest draft rumors (all items credited to Tony Pauline of Walter Football, unless noted otherwise):
- After his pro day workout, Georgia defensive lineman Sterling Bailey met with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, according to Pauline.
- The Lions appear to be all over Boston College safety Justin Simmons. Detroit brass met with Simmons on Tuesday to have dinner, conduct an interview, and go over film. The Lions also spent time with him during Shrine week and interviewed him at the draft combine.
- Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan threw the ball well at his school’s pro day and his delivery was said to be more compact than it has been in the past. The Bills, who are known to like Hogan, had GM Doug Whaley and others on hand.
- The Panthers worked out Cincinnati receivers Chris Moore and Johnny Holton on Thursday as well as Pittsburgh receiver Tyler Boyd.
- Mississippi State pass rusher Ryan Brown has official visits scheduled with the Raiders, Texans, Cowboys, and, Dolphins.
- Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander has already met with the Jets, Titans, Saints, Colts, Steelers, Lions, and Chargers, according to Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter).
- Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson‘s shoulder was flagged at the combine and he’s on the list to go back to Indianapolis for the medical recheck, Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets. Meanwhile, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) hears that at least a dozen teams passed Lawson on his physical, while one or two teams apparently flagged him for his shoulder. Lawson met with the Jets, Titans, Saints, and Browns earlier this month.
Free Agent Rumors: Fairley, Saints, Jets, Hill, Neal
Here are the latest free agent rumors:
- Free agent defensive tackle Nick Fairley, one of the more notable defenders still available, has been spotted in New Orleans, where he’s paying a visit to the Saints, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). The Saints were one of three potential suitors for Fairley mentioned in a report earlier this week, along with the Eagles and Jets.
- Saints restricted free agent Josh Hill visited the Jets today, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Hill was given the low-round tender by the Saints this offseason, so New Orleans has first right of refusal with regards over him.
- Linebacker Mike Neal has visited the Seahawks and Lions, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Packers’ 2010 second-round pick started 15 games last season and, as of one week ago, Green Bay was still considering a reunion.
- The Bears are not done exploring the tight end market after re-signing Zach Miller on Monday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets.
- The Jaguars worked out CFL offensive lineman Xavier Fulton today, a source tells Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (Twitter link). Fulton, who was a fifth-round pick in the 2009 NFL draft, has spent the last few seasons playing left tackle for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Buccaneers To Sign Daryl Smith
The Buccaneers will sign linebacker Daryl Smith, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Ravens cut Smith earlier this month in order to save roughly $2.6MM against the 2016 cap. Now, Smith will give the Bucs a linebacker to replace last year’s starter, Danny Lansanah.
Smith, who joined the Ravens for the 2013 season after spending nine years in Jacksonville, hasn’t missed a game in his three years in Baltimore, starting the last 48 regular-season games for the club. In 2015, he racked up 121 tackles to go along with three sacks and an interception.
While Smith’s release came as a bit of a surprise, Pro Football Focus did rank him just 71st out of 97 qualified linebackers in 2015, and he did just recently celebrate his 34th birthday. The Ravens ultimately decided to go younger and cheaper at the position while potentially not taking a major step back in terms of production.
The Bucs, meanwhile, pounced on an opportunity to add a talented veteran linebacker with big-game experience. Smith met with the Bucs on Thursday afternoon and, just hours later, found his new NFL home.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/17/16
Today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves:
- Linebacker Terence Garvin took to Twitter to announce that he has signed with Washington. Up until this point, Garvin had spent his entire career with the Steelers. The former UDFA out of West Virginia has appeared in 43 regular-season games (one start) and amassed 21 special teams tackles since breaking into the league in 2012. Garvin also drew interest from the Titans after he was non-tendered by Pittsburgh. Washington has since confirmed the signing.
- Washington announced that running back Chris Thompson has been re-signed as an exclusive rights free agent, Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Mid-Atlantic (on Twitter). Thompson, a running back known for his catching ability, appeared in 13 games last season, totaling 240 yards off of 35 receptions with two touchdowns. He also ran the ball 35 times for 216 yards, good for a 6.2 yards-per-carry average.
- Falcons safety Ricardo Allen signed his exclusive rights tender, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Allen will now earn a $525K salary in 2016.
Titans To Re-Sign Byron Bell
The Titans have agreed to re-sign Byron Bell, according to Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com. Terms of the deal are not yet known for the offensive tackle. 
Bell, 27, spent his first four NFL seasons with the Panthers, starting 56 of the 62 regular season contests he played for the club since 2011. In 2014, the New Mexico product was handed the reins at left tackle for the first time, and the results were not pretty. Bell graded out as the second-worst offensive tackle in football out of 84 qualified players, with a -33.4 overall rating, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Only Jake Matthews of the Falcons (-36.8) finished lower.
Last offseason, Bell hooked on with the Titans. In 2015, he started in all 16 games for Tennessee and actually appeared at three different positions. As Wyatt notes, Bell started eight games at right tackle, seven games at left guard, and then started the season finale at left tackle when Taylor Lewan was sidelined.
“Since I’ve been in the league, I have played four positions,’’ Bell said at the end of the season. “I am blessed to still be playing ball. I just want to be a guy who is dependable, and be a guy a team can count on.”
Bell is expected to “be in the mix” for the right tackle job in 2016, Wyatt writes. However, it’s also possible that Bell could be a backup.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.