AFC West Notes: Raiders, Broncos, Marshall
The Raiders will aim to bring in another running back this offseason, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Latavius Murray carried the load for Oakland last season, and while the the club’s rushing offense wasn’t great (24th in DVOA), Murray was one of only seven backs league-wide to run for more than 1,000 yards, and he did so behind an offensive line that ranked just 19th in adjusted line yards.
Still, Murray is entering the final year of his rookie deal, so adding another back could help not only during the 2016 season, but in the years after if Murray departs through free agency. The running back market is awash with options, with Matt Forte, Doug Martin, Lamar Miller, and Chris Ivory among those heading for free agency. Oakland has also been mentioned as a possible destination for the Eagles’ DeMarco Murray in the even that he is released or traded.
Let’s take a look at a few other notes from the AFC West, including more on both the Raiders and the Super Bowl champion Broncos:
- “I would definitely love my bank account to grow in these next few months — I would love that,” said Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall, discussing his upcoming restricted free agency on the NFL Network today. Marshall will certainly get a raise from the $585K he made last season, but he probably won’t hit the jackpot just yet, as Denver will likely offer him either a first- or second-round tender, limiting his appeal to other clubs.
- Brock Osweiler‘s future with the Broncos obviously hinges on whether Peyton Manning retires (and if the club decides to retain him if he doesn’t), but after posting a 5-2 record during his seven starts last year, Osweiler is excited to at least have the chance to take over-full time. “Every single guy on this team embraced me, and that is something I think they all know how thankful I am for that,” Osweiler told Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post. “But this is the best team in the world and we have a very special group in our locker room.”
- Speaking to the media in Oakland yesterday, Raiders owner Mark Davis said MLB’s Athletics (who share O.co Coliseum with the Raiders) have impeded progress on a new Raiders stadium by signing a 10-year lease with O.co. “They’ve tied our hands behind our back,” Davis said, according to Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. The Athletics responded toady, as owner Lew Wolff stated that his club is committed to Oakland, and that nothing the A’s have done affects the Raiders interests (link via Pro Football Talk).
Dolphins Notes: Front Office, Vernon, Wake
The Dolphins and assistant general manager Eric Stokes have mutually decided to part ways, the club announced today. Stoke, whose scouting career dates back to 2000, came to Miami from Tampa Bay, joining Dennis Hickey in making the leap from the Buccaneers to the Dolphins in 2014. Hickey, of course, was let go by Miami last month, and the team in turn promoted Chris Grier to take over as general manager.
Here’s more from South Beach:
- The team also announced that it has hired former Wisconsin secondary coach Daronte Jones as its new assistant defensive backs coach. Prior to his coaching experience in Madison, Jones spent time with Hawaii, UCLA, and the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes. He’ll be part of a revamped Miami coaching staff that includes new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and defensive backs coach (and former interim DC) Lou Anarumo.
- The Dolphins have yet to enter into “serious negotiations” with pending free agent defensive end Olivier Vernon, according to James Walker of ESPN.com. Set to reach the open market next month, the 25-year-old Vernon would surely garner plenty of interest from suitors around the league if he doesn’t reach a deal with Miami. A report last month indicated that Vernon was the club’s No. 1 priority among internal free agents.
- Miami is unlikely to be able to retain Vernon without first restructuring the contract of fellow defensive end Cameron Wake, but the team has not approached Wake about reworking his deal, per Walker. Wake, 34, is coming off a season-ending Achilles injury, and is due to count $9.8MM against the Dolphins’ cap, but the club could save $8.4MM by releasing him.
- Given that former Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase is head coach in Miami, it’s fair to wonder if running back Matt Forte — who was informed he won’t be re-signed in Chicago — might be a fit with the Dolphins. It’s an idea we explored today on the Pro Football Rumors Instagram account.
2016 Proven Performance Escalators
According to the NFL’s contractual bargaining agreement, players drafted in rounds three though seven are entitled to raises during the fourth year of their respective rookie contracts. The pay bumps are tied to playing time — a player must have played in 35% of his team’s offensive or defensive snaps in two of his first three seasons, or averaged 35% playing time cumulatively during that period.
If one of these thresholds is met, the player’s salary is elevated to the level of that year’s lowest restricted free agent tender — that figure is projected to be $1.696MM in 2016. Players selected in the first or second round, undrafted free agents, and kickers/punters are ineligible for the proven performance escalator.
Here are the players who will see their salary rise in 2016 courtesy of the proven performance escalator:
49ers: Gerald Hodges, LB
Bears: Marquess Wilson, WR
Buccaneers: William Gholston, DE; Mike Glennon, QB; Akeem Spence, DT
Cardinals: Andre Ellington, RB; Tyrann Mathieu, CB/S; Alex Okafor, LB
Chargers: Keenan Allen, WR
Colts: Sio Moore, LB; Hugh Thornton, G
Cowboys: J.J. Wilcox, S; Terrance Williams, WR
Dolphins: Jelani Jenkins, LB; Dallas Thomas, T; Dion Sims, TE; Kenny Stills, WR
Eagles: Bennie Logan, DT
Falcons: Kemal Ishmael, S; Levine Toilolo, TE
Jaguars: Josh Evans, S; Dwayne Gratz, CB
Jets: Brian Winters, G
Lions: Larry Warford, G
Packers: David Bakhtiari, T; Micah Hyde, S
Patriots: Duron Harmon, S; Chris Jones, DT; Logan Ryan, CB
Raiders: Mychal Rivera, TE
Rams: T.J. McDonald, S
Ravens: Ricky Wagner, T; Brandon Williams, DT
Saints: Terron Armstead, T; John Jenkins, DT
Seahawks: Luke Willson, TE
Steelers: Markus Wheaton, WR
Titans: Brian Schwenke, C
Washington: Jordan Reed, TE
Minor NFL Transactions: 2/12/16
Here are Friday’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves from across the NFL:
- The Steelers have re-signed long snapper Greg Warren to another one-year deal, tweets Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Warren, who typically inks one-year contracts with the maximum allowable signing bonus for a minimum salary benefit player, has served as the Steelers’ long snapper since 2005, appearing in 164 regular-season games during that time.
- The Jaguars have signed Josh Johnson to a free agent contract, PR rep Tad Dickman announced today (via Twitter). This Josh Johnson isn’t the former Buccaneers and Bengals quarterback, but rather a cornerback from the CFL. Johnson played for the B.C. Lions last season, recording 56 tackles, an interception, and a sack, before trying out for the Jags in December.
Dolphins Cut Quinton Coples, Brice McCain
4:40pm: The Dolphins confirmed that they have terminated the contracts for Coples and McCain (Twitter link).
3:31pm: The Dolphins will soon release a former first-round pick, according to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network, who reports (via Twitter) that the team is parting ways with defensive end Quinton Coples. Coples didn’t last long in Miami, with the Dolphins having claimed him off waivers from the Jets in November.
According to agent David Canter (Twitter link), the Dolphins are also releasing cornerback Brice McCain, who spent one season with the team.
Neither Coples nor McCain had more than one year remaining on his contract with the team, and cutting both players will create more than $10MM in cap savings for the Dolphins for the 2016 season. Coples’ $7.751MM salary, the amount of the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, isn’t fully guaranteed, so Miami will wipe that entire amount from its books. As for McCain, the team will eat $1MM in dead money, but clears his $2.5MM salary from the cap.
Coples, selected 16th overall in the 2012 draft, 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 the fall, and has now been cut for a second time in the last three months.
As for McCain, the veteran cornerback signed with the Dolphins last March after spending five seasons in Houston and one in Pittsburgh. McCain started 10 games and played 735 defensive snaps for the Dolphins in 2015, picking up an interception to go along with 39 tackles. However, it appears he didn’t show the team enough to be brought back for the second year of his contract.
Coples and McCain were both among the potential Dolphins cap casualties mentioned by PFR’s Connor Byrne when he previewed the club’s offseason last weekend.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
AFC East Notes: McCoy, Forte, Dolphins, Jets
When police investigators turned over the nightclub assault case involving LeSean McCoy to Philadelphia’s District Attorney earlier this week, it sounded like arrest warrants would be issued by Thursday. That estimate was soon pushed back to the end of the week, and then to next week. Now, it looks like it could be next Wednesday before McCoy formally faces any charges.
McCoy’s attorney said today that the running back’s camp had been informed that no charges would be filed until at least next Wednesday, according to Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter). ESPN’s John Barr clarifies (via Twitter) that McCoy won’t have to turn himself in until Wednesday at the earliest, but it’s possible charges will be filed prior to then. Either way, the Bills running back figures to remain in limbo for at least a few more days as he waits to see what sort of charges will be filed against him for last weekend’s altercation.
Here are a few more updates from out of the AFC East:
- After word broke today that the Bears will not be re-signing running back Matt Forte, James Walker of ESPN.com made the case for why the Dolphins – led by former Bears OC Adam Gase – would be an ideal fit for Forte.
- Of course, Miami is far from the only potential landing spot for Forte. In a separate piece, ESPN.com’s NFL writers identify 10 more teams that could be fits for the veteran running back, including the Patriots and Jets.
- The linebacker position should be the top priority for the Dolphins‘ this offseason, and ought to be addressed by the team in both free agency and the draft, according to Walker.
- The Dolphins‘ cap situation may look dire at the moment, but there are plenty of ways the club can fix that this winter, according to Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald, who lists 10 moves Miami could make to create a huge chunk of cap room.
- Finding an outside pass rusher should be the Jets‘ focus in the draft this spring, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News in his latest mailbag.
Pigskin Links: Draft, Miller, Forte, Jets, SB50
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:
- NFL Draft Report spoke highly of Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner.
- Today’s Pigskin says Lamar Miller will shine, whether in Miami or somewhere else.
- Daily Norseman says the Vikings won’t sign Matt Forte.
- NFL Spin Zone suggests the Jets should look into these 10 free agents.
- Fueled By Sports examined the aftermath of SB50.
- Wayniac Nation ran down the top 10 Super Bowl performances of all-time.
- Kingdome of Seattle Sports says the Seahawks will be better in 2016.
- Field Gulls fondly looks back on Marshawn Lynch‘s time with the Seahawks.
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.
Giants’ Jay Bromley Won’t Face Charges
FEBRUARY 12: Bromley’s attorney Alex Spiro said today that his client “has been officially cleared of all wrongdoing,” according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com (via Twitter). A high-ranking police official confirmed to Rocco Parascandola and Shayna Jacobs of the New York Daily News that Bromley won’t face charges: “He’s not going to be charged. There’s no criminality.”
The Giants defensive tackle steadfastly denied his accuser’s allegations throughout the investigation, and a report last week suggested investigators uncovered “significant discrepancies” in the story told by the accuser. The NFL could still conduct its own investigation into the incident, but if Bromley is formally cleared of all wrongdoing by police, he should avoid discipline from the league.
JANUARY 30: Police are looking into a claim made by a woman alleging Giants defensive tackle Jay Bromley attempted to rape her early Saturday at a hotel in New York, Thomas Tracy of the New York Daily News reports.
The 23-year-old Bromley picked up a woman he’d met on Instagram before they checked into a Midtown hotel room. After the woman performed oral sex on Bromley, sources within the police department told Tracy “something took place that she didn’t want to take place.”
The 26-year-old woman claimed Bromley, a third-round draft choice who finished his second year with the Giants, tried to rape her. Bromley hasn’t been charged.
A Giants spokesman said the team is aware of the situation.
“We have notified the league office per the league’s protocol,” a Giants spokesman said in a statement. “We will have no further comment as we understand this is an ongoing investigation.”
Sources also indicate the woman, after Bromley refused to comply with her demand to drive her home, jumped on the hood of his car as he drove before falling off shortly after and injuring her knees and legs. She was admitted to an area hospital around 4 a.m., Tracy reports.
A Syracuse product, Bromley started four games for the Giants this season and appeared in all 16, making 19 total tackles.
NFC Notes: Mathieu, Lions, Panthers
A January report indicated that getting an extension done with Tyrann Mathieu will be a top priority for the Cardinals this offseason, and GM Steve Keim confirmed as much during an appearance on Arizona Sports 98.7FM on Thursday (link via Adam Green of ArizonaSports.com).
“It’s hard to say that that we’ll be able to get something done for sure, but we certainly have that goal in mind and there’s no doubt that this organization wants Tyrann Mathieu to be a fixture here for years,“ Keim said.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- The Lions are set to hire Broncos offensive assistant Brian Callahan as their new quarterbacks coach, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (via Twitter). With Jim Bob Cooter having been promoted from QBs coach to offensive coordinator in the fall, Detroit needed someone to fill his old role.
- The Panthers are making some changes to their special teams staff, with Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer tweeting that the club has parted ways with assistant ST coach Russ Purnell, and Marvez tweeting that Curtis Fuller will return to a defensive role rather than helping out with special teams in 2016. According to Person and Marvez (Twitter links), Buccaneers ST coach Kevin O’Dea, 49ers ST coach Thomas McGaughey, and former Panthers linebacker Chase Blackburn are getting interviews for spots on Carolina’s special teams staff.
- Marvez also reports (via Twitter) that the Giants are hiring Jeff Zgonina as their assistant defensive line coach, which should complete Ben McAdoo‘s staff.
- The Panthers were one game away from a championship this past season, but GM Dave Gettleman vows he’ll remain patient this winter when it comes to making roster decisions, and won’t force any moves in an effort to get the team over the top. Bill Voth of Black and Blue Review has the details and the quotes from Gettleman.
- Despite one report suggesting he hopes to land a $5MM annual salary, it would be an upset if tight end Zach Miller leaves the Bears this offseason, says Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com. Dickerson doesn’t predict a potential price tag for Miller, but suggests he’d be next in line for a larger role if the team trades or cuts Martellus Bennett.
Packers Sign Letroy Guion To Extension
12:19pm: The Packers have officially announced their new deal with Guion.
11:21am: The extra $500K in Guion’s deal – noted below – is a Pro Bowl escalator, according to Caplan (Twitter link).
8:34am: The Packers and defensive lineman Letroy Guion have reached an agreement in principle on a three-year deal worth $11.25MM, a league source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The new contract agreement will lock Guion up through the 2018 season, and keeps him from hitting the open market next month. He had been eligible for unrestricted free agency this winter.
Guion, 28, started all 16 regular season contests as the Packers’ nose tackle in 2014, establishing new career highs in tackles (41) and sacks (3.5). He wasn’t a full-time starter in 2015, however, appearing in 381 defensive snaps in 13 games. He picked up 20 tackles, but didn’t record a sack.
The veteran defensive lineman was suspended for the first three games in 2015 due to a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Guion was arrested last February when police found 357 grams of marijuana and an unloaded gun in his truck. The case was settled in March when Guion accepted a plea deal, at which point the Packers re-signed him to a one-year contract that ended up being worth about $2.5MM.
While we’ll have to wait for the full details of this new contract to come out, it looks like Guion got a little more security than he did on his previous contracts with Green Bay. His per-year salary also gets a bump — assuming $11.25MM is the base value of the new pact, that’s an average of $3.75MM annually. Guion could also earn up to $500K in incentives on the deal, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.
With Guion locked up, the Packers will now have to decide whether or not they’ll also re-sign B.J. Raji, whose contract expires this offseason as well. Raji, who took over as the club’s regular nose tackle in 2015, played more snaps than Guion, but he placed just 97th out of 123 qualified interior defenders in Pro Football Focus’ rankings — PFF didn’t view Raji’s work against the run this past season as particularly strong.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.