HEADLINES

Raiders Release LaMarr Woodley

March 5th, 2015 at 3:57pm CST by Dallas Robinson

THURSDAY, 3:57pm: The Raiders have officially cut Woodley, the team announced today (via Twitter).

SUNDAY, 2:09pm: The Raiders plan to release edge defender LaMarr Woodley this week, a source tells Fallon Smith of CSNBayArea.com (Twitter link). The 30-year-old Woodley was entering the final season of a two-year deal he inked with Oakland last March.

2014 was something of a lost season for Woodley, who spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Steelers. After playing strictly as an outside linebacker in Pittsburgh’s 3-4 scheme, Woodley moved to defensive end in Oakland’s 4-3 look, and didn’t adjust particularly well, ranking 44th out of 59 qualified 4-3 DEs per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). The Michigan alum played in just six games before tearing his biceps and missing the remainder of the season.

Woodley was due a $1MM roster bonus on the fifth day of the 2015 league year, meaning the Raiders presumably made this move with the intention of avoiding that payment. Woodley had no guaranteed money coming in 2015, so Oakland will clear his entire cap figure off its books, saving nearly $5.2MM. Pending further transactions, the Raiders should now be armed with nearly $61MM in cap space when the free agent period begins next week.

Always a better fit as a 3-4 OLB, Woodley could conceivably look to latch on with a team that plays that scheme. At his age, and coming off injury, he probably won’t be line for a multi-year deal or much guaranteed money. But a club like the Titans (where former Steelers coordinator Dick LeBeau is running the defense), the Cardinals, or the Colts could take a chance on Woodley, hoping that he might thrive with a return to linebacker. A reunion with Pittsburgh also wouldn’t be surprising, as the cash-strapped Steelers could use a veteran stop-gap at pass-rusher.

Woodley becomes the second high-profile Raider veteran cut in the past week, as Oakland also plans to release safety Tyvon Branch.

AFC East Rumors: Hartline, Searcy, Bills, Jets

March 5th, 2015 at 3:38pm CST by Luke Adams

We can add another team to the list of potential suitors for wide receiver Brian Hartline, and it’s a division rival of Hartline’s old team. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (via Twitter), the free agent wideout is drawing interest from the Patriots. No visit has been set up yet between the Pats and Hartline, who has already met with the Browns, Bears, and Texans, but I’d imagine the former Dolphin will at least listen to what New England has to say, since the prospect of catching balls from Tom Brady seems appealing.

Here’s more from around the AFC East:

  • Like Jairus Byrd a year ago, Bills safety Da’Norris Searcy will be given the chance to test free agency next week, reports John Wawrow of The Associated Press. Buffalo appears unlikely to invest in Searcy, since the team is already paying big money to its other safety, Aaron Williams. A source tells Wawrow that the Bills and Searcy haven’t spoken since the team made him an offer two weeks ago.
  • Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com confirms that the Bills have interest in a pair of free agent targets that have already been linked to the team: offensive lineman Mike Iupati and linebacker David Harris. Iupati appears to be atop Buffalo’s free agent wish list, per La Canfora.
  • After visiting the Seahawks, free agent cornerback Cary Williams will meet with the Jets next, weather permitting, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter). Assuming he doesn’t reach an agreement with either of those clubs, a visit with the Titans would be next up on Williams’ schedule. We heard earlier today that both of those teams were eyeing Williams, who is also receiving interest from the Steelers, tweets Wyatt.

Falcons Re-Sign Charles Godfrey

March 5th, 2015 at 2:43pm CST by Luke Adams

2:43pm: Godfrey’s one-year deal with the Falcons is worth $1.5MM, according to Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter). It’s not clear how much of the contract – if any – is guaranteed, but the fact that it’s worth than the minimum is a little surprising, and suggests Godfrey should have a leg up on his competition for a roster spot this summer.

2:41pm: The Falcons have signed Charles Godfrey to a contract extension, keeping him from reaching the free agent market next week, according to Jay Adams of AtlantaFalcons.com (via Twitter). Terms of the agreement aren’t yet known, but I’d be surprised if it’s more than a minimum salary benefit contract for the veteran defensive back.

Godfrey, 29, was sidelined for most of the 2013 season after tearing his Achilles early in the year, then struggled at the beginning of the 2014 campaign, prompting the Panthers to release him. After starting all but one of his 73 games for Carolina during his first five years with the team, Godfrey began the 2014 season playing a lesser role for the Panthers, appearing in just 84 defensive snaps through four games. However, he was subsequently forced into more frequent action and struggled with the increased workload and a shift to cornerback, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). PFF’s data gave Godfrey a -0.5 grade for his play through the first four weeks, and a -9.9 mark for weeks five through seven.

After signing with the Falcons, Godfrey didn’t play a single defensive snap for the remainder of the season, which makes the team’s decision to re-sign him somewhat curious, particularly considering there’s a new coaching staff in place. I would guess that Godfrey won’t be a lock to make Atlanta’s 53-man roster in the fall.

Bucs Re-Sign Mike Jenkins, Two Others

March 5th, 2015 at 2:32pm CST by Luke Adams

The Buccaneers have re-signed three players from their 2014 team, the team announced today in a press release. Most notably, the club is bringing back cornerback Mike Jenkins, whose ’14 campaign came to an early end due to a pectoral injury. Luke Easterlin of DraftBreakdown.com first reported (via Twitter) that the two sides had agreed to a one-year deal.

Jenkins, who turns 30 later this month, started 15 games for the Raiders in 2013, recording 65 tackles and grabbing a pair of interceptions. He parlayed that performance into a one-year, $1.5MM contract with the Bucs and had been expected to play a major role in the team’s secondary before he went down with his season-ending injury in Week 1. This time around, he’ll likely receive a more modest salary, and will probably have to compete for a roster spot and for playing time.

As for the Bucs’ other Thursday signings, the team has also locked up linebacker Danny Lansanah and safety Bradley McDougald to new one-year contracts by extending them tender offers. Both players had been exclusive rights free agents, meaning they weren’t able to negotiate with any other teams. They’ll get minimum salary deals for 2015.

Cowboys Sign Keith Rivers

March 5th, 2015 at 1:53pm CST by Zachary Links

THURSDAY, 1:53pm: The Cowboys have officially announced the signing of Rivers, via a press release.

WEDNESDAY, 5:45pm: The Cowboys have agreed to sign linebacker Keith Rivers to a one-year deal, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Rivers was let go by the Bills on February 17th.

Rivers, who previously spent time with the Bengals and Giants, played just 12 games for the Bills in 2014, starting three. Of his 192 defensive snaps, nearly all of them came in the first half — the former ninth overall pick played just 24 snaps on defense after Week 8. After seeing his role dwindle in the second half of the 2014 season, the Bills opted to save $1.7MM by letting him go ($500K in dead money).

Rivers, a seven-year vet, spent 2012 and 2013 with the Giants. In his time with Big Blue, Rivers started 14 games and registered 83 tackles.

 

Raiders Plan To Host Suh For Visit

March 5th, 2015 at 1:30pm CST by Luke Adams

In just two days, Ndamukong Suh‘s agent will be able to speak to teams besides the Lions, and there has been no shortage of clubs with reported interest in the star defensive lineman. The Dolphins, Colts, Giants, and Washington are among the teams who have been identified as likely suitors for Suh since the Lions opted not to franchise him on Monday.

Of course, throughout the process, the Raiders have been viewed as one of Suh’s top potential suitors, given the team’s abundance of cap space and the way the defensive tackle would fit into the team’s 4-3 scheme. According to Mike Silver of the NFL Network (via Twitter), Oakland’s interest in Suh is very real — the Raiders are planning to bring the former second overall pick in for a visit next week.

If any team is poised to overpay Suh in free agency this month, it may be the Raiders. The club has the second-most cap room in the NFL, needs to increase its spending over the next two years to reach the minimum threshold, and could badly use a difference-making player like Suh. While Oakland’s defensive tackles weren’t terrible in 2014, Pat Sims, Justin Ellis, and Antonio Smith all recorded sub-par overall grades according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required).

Of course, the Lions still have a few days to work out an agreement with Suh before he’s eligible to sign with another team on Tuesday. However, having come this far, it seems unlikely that Suh wouldn’t take the opportunity to at least hear pitches from rival suitors, even if he ultimately decides to return to Detroit.

NFC FA Rumors: Cole, Hardy, McDonald, Hawk

March 5th, 2015 at 12:46pm CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles officially announced on Wednesday that they’ve released Trent Cole from his contract, and the veteran edge defender didn’t waste much time in scheduling his first free agent visit. According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Cole is meeting with the Buccaneers, a team that runs a 4-3 system. Having played in the Eagles’ 3-4 scheme for the last two years, Cole is viewed as a better fit as a defensive end for a 4-3 club, and Tampa Bay is certainly in need of an outside pass rusher.

As we wait to see if anything comes of Cole’s visit with the Bucs, let’s check in on a few more free agent updates from around the NFC….

  • NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says there’s nothing stopping a player on the exempt list from signing a new contract, which is good news for Panthers defensive Greg Hardy (link via ESPN.com). The league has yet to announce its decision on whether or not Hardy will face discipline for alleged off-field conduct, which could diminish enthusiasm for the defensive end on the open market, but he’ll still be able to negotiate with teams and accept an offer next week.
  • In other legal news, agent Tom Condon has informed teams that the Santa Clara District Attorney won’t be pursuing charges against free agent defensive lineman Ray McDonald, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). According to Condon, the Santa Clara DA hasn’t fully completed the release, but McDonald’s counsel has been informed of the decision. Since McDonald was cut by the Niners in December, he’s eligible to sign a new contract anytime.
  • Linebacker A.J. Hawk may not be totally out of the picture in Green Bay, according to Bob McGinn and Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who report that the Packers left the door open for the linebacker’s possible return.
  • In addition to hosting Ted Ginn Jr. for a visit this week, the 49ers also met with former Vikings wideout Jerome Simpson, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Simpson, who was suspended at the start of the 2014 season, was cut by Minnesota and hasn’t appeared in a regular season game since 2013. The Niners, meanwhile, are on the lookout for receivers, since they could part ways with Michael Crabtree, Brandon Lloyd, and Stevie Johnson this month.
  • Appearing on SportsCenter today, cornerback Byron Maxwell suggested he would like to sign with a team that plays a Cover 3 scheme like the Seahawks do, tweets Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Advocate. Of course, if a team running another coverage scheme makes Maxwell a big offer, I would guess he’d be willing to compromise that stance.
  • Lions offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds is expected to test the free agent market next week, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.

Dolphins Re-Sign Jason Fox

March 5th, 2015 at 12:12pm CST by Luke Adams

The Dolphins have agreed to terms with free agent offensive tackle Jason Fox, re-signing him to a new two-year deal that locks him up through the 2016 season, the team announced today (via Twitter). Per Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (via Twitter), Fox’s new contract is worth $2.5MM in total.

Fox, who signed a one-year, minimum-salary contract last year with the Dolphins, was a reserve for the majority of the season behind Branden Albert and Ja’Wuan James, and eventually Dallas Thomas. Fox got a chance to start at right tackle for the team during its final two games of the season, and the team liked what it saw enough to give him a modest raise for the 2015 season.

Returning to Miami for the coming year, Fox figures to return to a reserve role, assuming Albert and James are good to go for Week 1. If either of those starters, or someone else on the line, goes down with an injury or fails to impress in training camp, Fox figures to be one of the first players off the bench.

Peyton Manning Officially Back With Broncos

March 5th, 2015 at 11:37am CST by Luke Adams

The Broncos have finally made official (via Twitter) what we’ve known – or at least suspected – for the last several weeks: Peyton Manning will be returning to the team for the 2015 season. Manning was at the team’s facility today to sign his new contract and to take a physical.

As detailed yesterday, Manning has agreed to a deal that reduces his base salary for the coming year from $19MM to $15MM. That extra $4MM will still be available to the future Hall-of-Famer via incentives, but he’d have to reach the Super Bowl to earn any of it — he’ll reportedly receive $2MM if the Broncos win the AFC, and another $2MM if they win the Super Bowl.

Manning, who turns 39 later this month, had another excellent season for the Broncos in 2014, putting up 4,727 passing yards to go along with 39 touchdown passes. However, he was hampered by injuries late in the season and struggled down the stretch, particularly in the team’s divisional playoff loss to the Colts, in which he totaled just 211 passing yards on 46 attempts.

Given the way the season ended, plus the fact that head coach John Fox and offensive coordinator Adam Gase both found new jobs, there was some doubt that Manning would return for another year. However, John Elway, Gary Kubiak, and the Broncos maintained all along that they’d welcome back the former MVP.

Manning’s new deal frees up an extra $4MM in cap space for the Broncos, but that shouldn’t have a significant impact on the team’s plans for free agency. Several key players are set to the open market in a matter of days, including tight end Julius Thomas, defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, safety Rahim Moore, and guard Orlando Franklin.

Extra Points: Suh, Flowers, Titans, NFLPA

March 5th, 2015 at 11:24am CST by Zachary Links

The money could get silly for guys like Ndamukong Suh and Darrelle Revis since some teams will need to spend to reach the cap minimum and a lack of in-house guys to reward could push free agent prices through the roof, says Albert Breer of NFL.com (Twitter links). Here’s more from around the NFL:

  • The Dolphins and Colts are expected to make the strongest pushes for Suh, multiple league sources told Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports. Both teams have been heavily linked to the impending free agent defensive tackle in recent days.
  • Appearing today on the NFL Network, cornerback Brandon Flowers said he’d like to remain with the Chargers, and is in discussions with the club about a new deal, writes Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. Flowers described his situation as win-win: “If I stay in San Diego, it’s a place I loved stepping in from Day 1. It’s a nice place to live, and with a quarterback like Philip Rivers, you always have a chance. And if I’m not able to go back, I’m going to the free agency market.”
  • Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean looked at the Titans‘ free agents and ran down which ones the team should look to re-sign. The top priorities, he says, should be linebacker Derrick Morgan, punter Brett Kern, and defensive lineman Karl Klug.
  • Former NFLPA staff counsel Arthur McAfee is officially on the ballot for the upcoming executive director election, tweets Getlin. Jim Acho, a Michigan attorney running for the job, has also been told he has the three nominations needed to get on the final ballot, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets. Additionally, sports advisor Rob London tells Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link) that he also received the necessary recommendations from player reps to qualify as a candidate. There are now eight candidates in the mix for the position.
  • In this week’s mailbag, a reader asked Mike Klis of the Denver Post if the Broncos would consider former fan favorite Peyton Hillis at fullback. If he were a bit more spry, Hillis would be close to an ideal fullback in Gary Kubiak‘s system, but even then he’s still too small for the position.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

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