NFC Rumors: Bucs, Eagles, Washington
Bruce Carter occupies the fifth-highest cap charge for the Buccaneers this season but could play an unfamiliar position for his new team. The Bucs plan to slot the former Cowboys outside linebacker in the middle of their 4-3 alignment, writes Jenna Laine of SportsTalkFlorida.com.
With the weak-side spot spoken for in All-Pro Lavonte David and versatile Danny Lansanah slated to work at the strong-side position, Carter will attempt to earn his money at a spot he’s rarely played. The former Cowboys second-round pick struggled at outside backer last season, grading well below zero on Pro Football Focus’ scale, but arguably Carter’s best campaign came as an inside performer. The 27-year-old North Carolina product rated adequately on PFF (subscription required) during 11 starts inside in what was then a 3-4 look in Dallas in 2012.
Playing all three second-level spots in Tampa last season, the bulkier Lansanah’s best work came on the strong side — PFF doled out an eye-catching 6.1 grade for his Week 13 work against the Bears — and the soon-to-be-30-year-old former United Football League standout will begin his season there.
Here is some other news from Tampa and other NFC locales.
- Also from Tampa: newly acquired George Johnson will start his Bucs tenure as a left defensive end, but the team views the ex-Lion as more of a rotational part than starter, according to Laine. But that could mean a workload similar to the 531 snaps Johnson logged in Detroit last season, albeit in an off-the-bench capacity. The team also hopes third-year end William Gholston, a nine-game starter last season, can man the top swing spot, playing both inside and outside up front.
- Recent waiver claim D.J. Swearinger will have a chance to start, defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier told Laine. The Bucs’ signing of Chris Conte, who struggled at times last year, doesn’t exactly signify a menacing safety corps that prevents upward mobility.
- With the additions of Brian Mihalik, a seventh-round selection this year, and 2014 Arena Leaguer Frances Mays — an Eagles camp body last season — the Eagles have two 6-foot-9 talents up front, writes Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Enquirer. Although he doesn’t expect either to make the 53-man roster of a team that didn’t allocate any funds to free agent defensive linemen, they could profile as practice-squad developmental bastions.
- Both Rich Tandler and Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com wonder if Will Compton can supplant Perry Riley as a starting inside backer in Washington. Neither were flashy options last season, per PFF, but the six-year veteran Riley’s started inside for Washington for the past three seasons.
Poll: Most Improved Revamped Contender?
Every team in the NFL has undergone changes to some extent this offseason, but some clubs have managed to maintain more continuity than others. Among the teams that have overhauled their rosters most significantly are three teams that just missed out on playoff spots by a game or two in 2014. The Eagles, Saints, and Dolphins have all seen major turnover at key spots on their rosters over the past few months.
In Philadelphia, Chip Kelly continues to allow standout offensive players to leave town, trading LeSean McCoy to the Bills and allowing Jeremy Maclin to walk in free agency. The Eagles also have a new starting quarterback (Sam Bradford) and landed the top running back (DeMarco Murray) and cornerback (Byron Maxwell) available in free agency.
While the Eagles’ biggest changes came in free agency, the Saints went the trade route, shipping out Jimmy Graham, Kenny Stills, and Ben Grubbs in separate deals. The team did add a few free agents, including running back C.J. Spiller and cornerback Brandon Browner, but New Orleans will be relying heavily on its rookie class, after having added extra picks in the first and third rounds.
As for the Dolphins, it’s no secret what their biggest offseason move was: Ndamukong Suh was the most noteworthy free agent to change teams in years, and he’s headed to Miami for the 2015 season. However, that was far from the only splash made by the Dolphins. The club also overhauled its wide receiving corps, acquiring Kenny Stills, signing Greg Jennings, and jettisoning veterans Mike Wallace, Brandon Gibson, and Brian Hartline. Ryan Tannehill will also have a new weapon at tight end, in former Brown Jordan Cameron.
As noted above, there are plenty of other teams – both playoff clubs and non-contenders – who underwent major roster changes in the offseason, but few overhauled their rosters as significantly as the Eagles, Saints, and Dolphins. Will that pay off for those teams in 2015? Which of these three teams do you think improved the most this offseason?
Which postseason contender improved the most by revamping its roster this offseason?
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Miami Dolphins 60% (524)
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Philadelphia Eagles 30% (263)
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New Orleans Saints 10% (83)
Total votes: 870
Extra Points: Tebow, Smith, Falcons
Can Tim Tebow find success with the Eagles? Former teammate Eric Decker seems to think so. “Chip’s been doing a lot of stuff this year, so I think anything’s possible,” Decker, now with the Jets, told Manish Mehta of the Daily News. “Really, (Tebow) can create his own role. I know he wants to be head quarterback, but he can create a role for himself that can help a team in many ways (whether it’s) the two-point conversion if it’s moved up or a goal-line package. He has the athletic ability to be a personal punt protector… and can play other positions. They’ll figure out a way to utilize him if it’s going to help them be a better football team.” Here’s more from the NFC..
- Justin Smith told reporters, including Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group (on Twitter), that the left side of his body hasn’t been responding well as of late. “If you don’t have the tools, you can’t do the job. It’s time to go,” said the 49ers defensive end, who walked away from the game of football earlier today.
- The Falcons rearranged their front office this winter, giving more responsibility to new head coach Dan Quinn and assistant GM Scott Pioli while taking some duties away from GM Thomas Dimitroff. So far, owner Arthur Blank is happy with how things have worked out, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com writes. “I think it’s working great,” Blank said. “There is tremendous respect both ways. They’re working off each other; playing off each other’s strengths. They’re both good listeners to each other and to others. And I think the dynamic has worked out as well as anybody could have possibly thought. I think Thomas and Scott have worked beautifully together as well. So I’m very happy with all of that.”
- Buccaneers defensive tackle Clinton McDonald says fellow DT Henry Melton is a great addition to the defense and will help the Bucs get to the quarterback, Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com tweets.
Extra Points: Deflategate, CBA, Tebow
We heard earlier that Tom Brady‘s suspension may not in fact be reduced, but the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin cites some inconsistencies that need justification from Ted Wells as the Deflategate saga continues to gain depth.
The main issue Volin takes with Wells is why he charged the Patriots with not cooperating with his investigation fully. Specifically, the Boston reporter points out Wells had the “deflator” text from Jim McNally in his possession before meeting with him, but his team did not find it until after McNally’s deposition because the text was from May 2014.
The Patriots refused to make McNally available again due to the apparent lack of due diligence from Wells’ team, citing a February email from team attorney Daniel Goldberg to Wells that stated barring “unanticipated circumstances” there would be no second interviews with subjects.
“You refused to give me the information I requested except to say that the topic was ‘new,’ ” Goldberg wrote in an email to Wells on March 9 that the Patriots released Sunday regarding Wells’ request for a second summit with McNally. “It turned out, however, that the topic involved asking about texts that you had before his prior interview — so it was not something that arose from extraordinary or unanticipated circumstances, but was apparently just something you neglected to pursue in his earlier interview.”
Volin requested Wells’ end of the email chain from the NFL but did not receive those before publishing this story.
More from around the league on Sunday night …
- Roger Goodell‘s ability to hear Brady’s appeal is not a power he’s unearthed from nowhere. The provision of safeguarding the game’s integrity has been present since the first CBA in 1968, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. This provided then-commissioner Pete Rozelle power to impose discipline and designate the hearing officer for any appeals regarding issues of conduct detrimental to the “integrity of the game.”
- Russell Wilson and the Seahawks are not discussing a fully guaranteed contract, writes Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Condotta adds that, while the amount of guaranteed money will play a key role in this extension, teams must provide the full amount of the fully guaranteed deal up front. The player doesn’t receive it all then, but the amount must be accounted for — similar to Ndamukong Suh‘s deal with the Dolphins this year, with some of the money being placed in an escrow account for future payment — to prevent teams from not following through on financial promises.
- Tim Tebow‘s odds of making an impact with the Eagles appear slim as of now, but Zach Berman of Philly.com writes the 6-foot-3, 236-pound quarterback could be of use should the Eagles’ extra point proposal, which would place two-point conversions at the 1-yard line, pass this week at the NFL owners’ meetings. Although the Eagles didn’t attempt a two-point play last year, they went 3-for-8 in 2013. Tebow’s scored from the 1-yard line in each of his three attempts and converted first downs on six of eight 1-yard-to-go scenarios in his last starting role in 2011. Berman also adds the Eagles’ preference for DeMarco Murray‘s north-south running style will help here, with Murray’s six 1-yard scores leading the league last season. So a lot could be riding on this week’s proposal in Philadelphia.
- Vikings right tackle Phil Loadholt is “pretty much up to full speed” after sustaining a torn pectoral muscle last season, writes Minneapolis Star-Tribune columnist Sid Hartman. Brandon Fusco is not quite as far along after tearing a pectoral muscle, according to Mike Zimmer. With Charlie Johnson, a four-year starter on Minnesota’s front at either left tackle or left guard, still an unrestricted free agent, the Vikings are contemplating a reshuffle to fill the gaps. A starting right guard for two full seasons and three games into last year before suffering the chest injury, Fusco could potentially move to left guard, and rookie tackle T.J. Clemmings could begin his career by lining up at right guard.
- The Chargers will not keep any of the 15 tryout players they brought in, Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports (on Twitter).
- Adrian Robinson, a former NFL linebacker and recent CFL cog, died Saturday night at the age of 25, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. The cause of death was unknown. Robinson played for the Steelers, Broncos, Chargers and Washington from 2012-13 and was a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Sunday Roundup: Ray, Eagles, Chargers
Let’s take a look a a few notes from around the league:
- Shane Ray‘s draft stock took a hit because of a citation for marijuana possession and a toe injury, but the Missouri product was still selected in the first round, as the Broncos traded up to nab the high-ceiling pass rusher. As Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk writes, Denver hopes that Ray, who missed rookie minicamp as a result of the toe injury, will be able to participate in some capacity when the team resumes work tomorrow. As Alper points out, though, Ray’s work is likely to be limited, especially since the Broncos just lost third-round tight end Jeff Heuerman to a torn ACL at minicamp.
- Of all the eyebrow-raising moves that Eagles head coach Chip Kelly has made during his brief tenure with the club, his decisions relating to Philadelphia’s wide receiving corps may be the most curious. But as David Murphy of The Philadelphia Daily News writes, with the addition of Nelson Agholor–a physical clone of Jeremy Maclin–the expected improvement from Zach Ertz and Jordan Matthews, and the team’s ability to shift Darren Sproles to more of a pass-catching role now that DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews are in the fold, the Eagles may actually have a more dynamic set of receivers than they had in 2014.
- Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano says rookie Denzel Perryman will compete for time at inside linebacker with projected starters Manti Te’o and Donald Butler, but that ultimately everybody will see time on the field, ESPN’s Eric D. Williams writes. Pagano complimented his talent not only at the linebacker position, but also on special teams.
- The Chargers don’t have a true fullback on their roster, but San Diego State product Chad Young hopes to change that, Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego writes. Young has experience on his side, having been in training camp last year with the Jets. But like other fullbacks, he has seen his position fade across the NFL over the past several years.
- Former Maryland standout Andre Monroe tried out for the Chargers during the team’s rookie minicamp, writes Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun. Monroe set Maryland’s school record with 25 career sacks, 20 of which came in his last 26 games. But at 5’10” and 294 pounds, Monroe is a bit undersized for an NFL defensive lineman, and he was not immediately offered a contract by San Diego.
- Longtime Ravens scout Joe Douglas has accepted a job with the Bears, according to a press release from the Ravens. Douglas will be Chicago’s new director of college scouting.
- The Steelers have hired veteran NFL personnel man Rick Reiprish to join their player personnel department, writes Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Reiprish, who has over 30 years of experience in player personnel, was the Saints’ director of college scouting for 11 years until he was released in a front-office shakeup earlier this year.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Eagles Said No To Broncos’ Draft Day Offer
After weeks of rumors and rumblings about teams that could potentially swing draft day deals, Day 1 of the 2015 draft wound up being rather uneventful. One of the would-be trades would have seen the Broncos move up from No. 23 to the Eagles’ No. 20 pick, but Denver was rebuffed, according to Gil Brandt of NFL.com (Twitter links).
Instead of adding draft picks, the Eagles opted to stay put and grab USC wide receiver Nelson Agholor. Of course, adding a wide receiver was a top priority for Chip Kelly & Co. after losing Jeremy Maclin, who signed with the Chiefs in March. Agholor joins Jordan Matthews, Riley Cooper, Miles Austin, as a part of the Eagles receiving corps. Agholor figures to get a good amount of burn in 2015, provided that he is as NFL-ready as the Eagles think he is.
It’s not immediately clear who the Broncos might have been targeting at No. 20. The Broncos wound up taking Shane Ray at No. 23 and it’s conceivable that he was their target in trying to move up. Ray was projected by some to be a fringe top ten pick before a flunked drug test hurt his stock.
NFC East Notes: Eagles, Moss, Hardy
Malcolm Bunche started the first nine games of UCLA’s 2014 season before being benched, and missed the Alamo Bowl for academic reasons. Now, as a UDFA with the Eagles, the offensive lineman says that he’s ready to start a new chapter of his career, Tucker Bagley of Philadelphia Magazine writes. “It was disappointing, obviously, but like I said, things happen,” Bunche said when explaining his problems at UCLA. “You can’t just pout, you can’t get under the bus, you can’t blame anybody but yourself and that’s what I did. I did some things, I messed up and I dealt with it, but I have an opportunity here and I’m going to run with it.” More from the NFC East..
- Santana Moss has played 14 NFL seasons and he wants to go for 15, the wide receiver tells 247Sports.com. “I’m a free agent right now, you know how they do us old guys,” Moss said. “I’m going on my 15th year. Right now my agent is talking with some teams to see what’s going to be my best scenario. Right now I’m just chilling, just enjoying life, and enjoying this off time.” Things have been quiet for Moss, who is coming off a season in which he caught just 10 passes for 116 yards in ten games for Washington.
- Lawyers for Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy asked NFL appeals officer Harold Henderson to recuse himself from the May 28th hearing on Hardy and he declined, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (via Twitter).
- If the Cowboys trade for a running back, they should focus on a certain set of players, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News opines. Machota suggest that Dallas should focus on guys that are going to be free agents next season such as Matt Forte, Lamar Miller, and Doug Martin.
Draft Signings: Eagles, Steelers, Bengals, Jags
Coming into today, fewer than 90 players selected in the 2015 NFL draft remained unsigned, with well over half of this year’s 256 draftees having reached agreements with their respective teams. A few more rookie have struck deals with their clubs today, so let’s round up the latest news, with all contract info coming from Over the Cap:
- The Eagles have finished deals with all six of their draftees, agreeing to terms today with third-round linebacker Jordan Hicks, according to the team (Twitter link). Hicks’ four-year deal will be worth a little under $3MM, including a signing bonus of about $653K.
- The Steelers have signed fifth-round tight end Jesse James to his rookie contract, leaving the team with three unsigned picks, including first-rounder Bud Dupree (Twitter link via the club’s official account).
- The Bengals have signed tight end C.J. Uzomah, their fifth-round pick out of Auburn, the team announced today (via Twitter). The second tight end selected by Cincinnati in the draft, Uzomah will count against the Bengals’ cap for just over $488K in 2015, assuming he makes the regular season roster.
- The Jaguars have now locked up half their draft picks, signing seventh-round tight end Ben Koyack to his contract today, per John Oehser of Jaguars.com (Twitter link). Koyack will receive a signing bonus worth approximately $69K on his first NFL deal.
Extra Points: Bowers, Cowboys, Eagles
A second-round pick just four years ago, Da’Quan Bowers hasn’t generated much interest on the free agent market this offseason — or at least not much that has been reported. However, with veteran free agents no longer tied to draft pick compensation after May 12, the former Buccaneers defensive end may soon find a home.
According to Jayson Braddock of ESPN 97.5 Houston (Twitter link), Bowers is paying a visit to New Orleans to meet with the Saints this week. Previously, Braddock reported (via Twitter) that the 25-year-old had narrowed his options down to the Lions and Dolphins, so it’s not clear whether those teams remain in the mix, or if they’ve moved on.
As we wait for an update on Bowers, let’s round up a few more items from around the NFL….
- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed today that restructuring Brandon Carr‘s contract is a priority for the team this offseason, but no work has been completed yet on that front (Twitter link via David Moore of the Dallas Morning News). Meanwhile, Jerry’s son Stephen Jones said that the Cowboys’ meeting with Orlando Scandrick and agent Ron Slavin was productive, but he wouldn’t say whether the two sides will reach a new contract agreement (link via Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com).
- The Eagles have announced in a press release that former Bears executive Dwayne Joseph has been hired as the team’s director of pro scouting, while Louis Clark has been promoted to senior director of pro personnel. Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter links), who reported Joseph’s hiring earlier today, notes that the Bears tried hard to keep their associate director of pro personnel, but he chose to seek a better opportunity in Philadelphia.
- Offensive lineman Austin Wentworth, who joined the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2014 and was cut earlier this month, must end his playing career because of blood clots in his leg, as he tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. While the 25-year-old is currently walking with a limp, and will have to wear a brace for the rest of his life, he’s expected to walk normally eventually, according to Tomasson. Wentworth is currently on Minnesota’s reserve/non-football illness list.
- Former Iowa State defensive end Cory Morrissey had agreed to terms on a three-year rookie contract with the Ravens as a UDFA, but ultimately decided to walk away from football instead, as Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun details.
- Elsewhere at the Baltimore Sun, Jeff Zrebiec takes a closer look at what this week’s roster moves and decisions mean for the Ravens.
Draft Signings: Browns, Bucs, Titans
With less room for negotiations on rookie contracts under the new CBA, draft picks are coming to terms with their teams quicker than ever, and a few more have struck deals already today. Here are the latest updates on mid-to-late rounders reaching agreements with their respective clubs, with contract information provided by Over The Cap….
- The Browns have officially brought a pair of draftees into the fold, announcing today in a press release that they’ve formally signed third-round defensive lineman Xavier Cooper and sixth-round fullback Malcolm Johnson. Their signing bonuses will be worth about $592K and $119K respectively.
- Sixth-round wideout Kaelin Clay has signed his rookie deal with the Buccaneers, as Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com tweets. Clay, the second Tampa Bay pick to sign his deal, after Jameis Winston, will get a $130K+ signing bonus.
- The Titans have started to lock up their draft picks, agreeing to terms today with sixth-round outside linebacker Deiontrez Mount, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. Mount’s four-year contract will have a total value of $2.428MM, including a signing bonus of about $148K, and a 2015 cap hit of approximately $472K.
- Saints third-round draft pick P.J. Williams signed his rookie contract on Tuesday, according to a post on his Instagram account. New Orleans has now inked all of its picks with the exception of Stephone Anthony and Andrus Peat.
- The Eagles and sixth round draft pick JaCorey Shepherd have agreed to terms on a four-year contract, Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com tweets.
Zach Links contributed to this post.