Extra Points: Steelers, Wharton, Sproles
Earlier tonight, Clifton Brown of CSNBaltimore.com went into enemy territory to size up the Steelers‘ receiving corps. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley swears that this the deepest group of receivers he’s ever had the privilege of coaching, but it’s certainly lacking star power outside of Antonio Brown. Earlier tonight, we looked at the Steelers’ offseason, including their lack of change when it comes to wide receivers. Here’s more from around the NFL..
- With starting left guard Amini Silatolu looking healthy and optimism around rookie Trai Turner, the Panthers felt comfortable with not re-signing former starter Travelle Wharton, writes Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. Wharton, meanwhile, has hinted that he plans to retire.
- You can call Eagles offseason pickup Darren Sproles a tailback or an all-purpose back, but don’t go calling him a receiver. “Yeah, that’s crazy,” the offensive weapon told reporters, including Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com. “Half the time I get my catches out of the backfield.” Sproles, entering his 10th season, has 378 career receptions for 3,381 yards and 27 career receiving touchdowns. He has more career receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns than either Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin, the Eagles’ two starting receivers.
- The NFL announced that a revised settlement in the concussion lawsuit with former players has been reached. The funds will not be capped, meaning that once the compensation program is established funds will be available to any retired player who develops a qualifying neurocognitive condition.
- The NFLPA announced via press release that an arbitrator has upheld discipline on three contract advisors, including Martin Magid for bad business dealings with former client Elvis Dumervil.
NFC East Links: Avant, Cowboys, Redskins
Earlier today, we rounded up a few items out of the NFC West. Now, let’s head to the other coast and check in on the NFC’s East division….
- DeSean Jackson certainly drew more headlines this offseason, but Jason Avant was another wideout who only lasted one season in Philadelphia under Chip Kelly, and as he tells Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer, he didn’t exactly see eye-to-eye with the Eagles‘ head coach. “When it came to certain things, we butted heads sometimes – route running and route technique. So I knew I didn’t fit his system,” Avant said, adding that he knew “maybe four games into last season” that he’d eventually be released.
- One former Cowboy great believes Dez Bryant has earned a long-term extension from the team, as Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith tells Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News that he believes the wideout has matured and is “very passionate about football.”
- Cowboys linebacker Justin Durant isn’t satisfied with what he has accomplished in Dallas or in his NFL career so far, but he could have a great opportunity to produce in 2014, with Sean Lee sidelined for the year, writes Machota. Durant will be eligible for unrestricted free agency after the season, so it’d be a nice boost to his stock if he earned the team’s starting job at middle linebacker.
- Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com takes a closer look at the Redskins‘ nose tackle position, evaluating which players are likely to make the roster behind probable starter Barry Cofield.
NFC Notes: Davis, Graham, 49ers, Redskins
Vernon Davis seems to be keeping a close eye on the outcome of Jimmy Graham’s positional designation hearing, but the Graham decision shouldn’t have a real impact on the 49ers’ contract talks with their tight end, says Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. As Maiocco points out, Graham has a much stronger case to be considered a wide receiver, since he lined up in the slot or split out wide on two-thirds of his snaps, while Davis did so on only about 30% of his snaps.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- With no decision on Graham yet from arbitrator Stephen Burbank, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wonders if the process may extend beyond July 15, the deadline for Graham and the Saints to reach a multiyear agreement. Even if Burbank’s ruling comes this week, it won’t be final until the losing side has the chance to appeal the decision. If New Orleans doesn’t sign Graham to a long-term deal by July 15, the star pass-catcher can only ink a one-year contract for 2014.
- The 49ers‘ draft was almost universally lauded, and Bill Williamson of ESPN.com looks at what San Francisco hopes each pick will contribute in 2014. Second-rounder Carlos Hyde was thought to be a “steal” at pick No. 57, and is expected to receive opportunities at running back right away. Third-round center Marcus Martin has a chance to win the starting job, and fourth-round linebacker Chris Borland could earn playing time in the absence of the injured NaVorro Bowman.
- Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap provides his take on the Redskins‘ best and worst contracts, identifying one of this year’s free agent signees – Jason Hatcher – as the player with the least team-friendly deal.
- Jason Avant is expected to provide a veteran presence among the Panthers’ young receiving corps, but leadership alone wasn’t enough to keep him with the Eagles, where the 31-year-old quickly realized he wasn’t a fit in Chip Kelly’s scheme. “When they stop calling your number and guys start running some of the routes that you run,” Avant told Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer, “I knew from the beginning that I didn’t fit his style of offense, in that I’m a crafty guy that gets open in an atypical way.”
- In the view of Falcons head coach Mike Smith, a player’s salary should be “nobody’s business,” but quarterback Matt Ryan says he isn’t feeling increased pressure now that he’s on a $100MM+ deal, writes Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com.
Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.
NFC Links: Eagles, Murphy, Robinson
The Eagles depth chart is still in flux, but the receivers are already beginning to fall into different roles, writes Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com. Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin have been constants as the top two outside receivers on the first team, but both Brad Smith and rookie Jordan Matthews have spent time in the slot with the first team. Matthews has also moved to the outside on the second team. Mosher does expect Maclin to play in the slot in the first team in three-receiver sets.
Here are some other links from around the NFC:
- Redskins’ rookie linebacker Trent Murphy is using his flexibility to contribute to the defense in more ways than one, writes Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com. Head coach Jay Gruden was impressed with his ability to line up at multiple positions in different situations, and outside linebackers coach Brian Baker was impressed with his literal flexibility as a taller player who can bend rushing off the edge.
- Rams‘ first-round pick Greg Robinson was moved from tackle to guard in order to help transition to the NFL game, and he is still getting used to the transition according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “It’s just everything happens faster inside,” Robinson said. “Outside you have a little more time to kick. The guys are faster but these guys are just quick and trained to rush the passer. It’s just about keeping my feet working and knowing when to pull.”
- 49ers‘ cornerback Chris Cook is working on his ball skills, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Despite the team’s need at the position, Cook needs to erase the perception that he plays the ball poorly in the air if he wants to impact the defense in 2014.
NFC Camp Notes: Seahawks, Lyerla, Eagles
Now that OTAs and minicamps are behind us, writers from around the league are looking ahead to training camp, anticipating roster battles, and wondering if anything we saw in the past few weeks of workouts will translate into the regular season. Here are some such notes from the NFC:
- Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times writes that the Seahawks‘ most heated position battle will be at right tackle, where Michael Bowie and Justin Britt appear to have equal footing heading into training camp.
- Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel lists 10 Packers storylines to watch before training camp, including J.C. Tretter‘s hold on the center position and how the team will replace Jermichael Finley. Perhaps undrafted tight end Colt Lyerla, who Dunne also lists as a player to watch this summer, could be part of that solution.
- Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer, like most writers, notes that reports from OTAs and minicamps are typically full of optimism. But trouble always lurks beneath that hopeful veneer, and for the Eagles, that trouble comes in the form of depth along the offensive line and the wide receiver corps. Then there is the question of whether the team’s projected starters in the defensive backfield are good enough to compete on a weekly basis.
- On the more optimistic side of the coin, Rich Tandler of RealRedskins.com points to five reasons for Redskins fans to feel hopeful heading into training camp, including what promises to be a more productive pass rush.
- Matt Bowen of The Chicago Tribune liked a lot of what he saw from the Bears‘ defensive unit this spring, including the promise displayed by Brock Vereen and Shea McClellin.
NFC East Notes: Watkins, Linehan, Orton
The Eagles have concluded their OTA period, and Jimmy Kempski of Philly.com has highlighted five players who impressed during spring practices. Among those who left a good impression were Arrelious Benn and Darren Sproles. Benn has an uphill battle for one of the roster spots at receiver, and his injury history hurts has chances, but he looks to have recovered from the ACL injury that caused him to miss all of 2013. Sproles however looks custom fit for the Chip Kelly offense, and could be dangerous in the passing game.
Here are some other notes from around the NFC East:
- Fourth-round pick Jaylen Watkins has wowed the Eagles‘ coaching staff with his football IQ, especially defensive backs coach John Lovett, reports Jake Kaplan of Philly.com. Watkins, who played corner and safety at Florida, has been tasked with learning both cornerback and nickelback in the new defense, even though he is only a rookie. “When you talk to him about his defense at Florida, he knew what everybody did,” Lovett said. “I talked to the defensive coordinator [D.J. Durkin] down there. They put him in at positions that he hadn’t even practiced that week because he knew what everybody was doing. He’s really got a great football IQ.”
- Scott Linehan will be running the show for the Cowboys‘ offense in 2013, and that should mean a lot of throwing the football, writes Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. In three years with the Lions, Matthew Stafford averaged 42 pass attempts per game under Linehan. Tony Romo averaged only 36 last year.
- Although Cowboys backup Kyle Orton has already accrued over $150,000 in fines and de-escalators for the time he has missed, but Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com still believes the veteran quarterback will return to the team and play out the season. Archer predicts Orton could skip the first week of training camp, before reporting around July 27th of 28th.
- Redskins‘ outside linebacker coach Brian Baker has been working hard to teach fundamentals to his position group, writes John Keim of ESPN.com. He also worked on tackling drills during special teams, and the teams has put a special emphasis on that phase of the game, using all their coaches’ skills to benefit their special teams.
- The Giants have also concluded their OTAs, so Jordan Raanan and Connor Orr of NJ.com have put together their best guess at the depth chart. A lot can happen during training camp and the preseason, but they have penciled in a presumed lineup for the upcoming season.
Eagles Notes: Kelly, Matthews, Carroll, Long, Barkley, Villanueva
Eagles second-rounder Jordan Matthews “caught everything thrown his way and lined up both inside and outside,” according to Phillymag.com’s Sheil Kapadia, who took stock of the team’s draft picks now that spring work has concluded. Kapadia expects Matthews to emerge as the team’s No. 1 slot receiver.
Other Eagles tidbits:
- Head coach Chip Kelly held a press this week and was again asked about the unceremonious divorce from DeSean Jackson, but Kelly made it clear that he’s not in the message sending business. Bob Grotz of the Delaware County Daily Times relayed that bit of information as well as a related quote from center Jason Kelce which indicates that, while the Jackson release resonated, it has not affected the team’s stability: “As opposed to the way a lot of the media portrays it I don’t think that the release was solely on character things and a lot of other things, I think that might be something that’s been played out way too far. I think there are a lot of different factors. His release has not changed in my mind anything about the way this organization runs, the culture of it or anything.”
- Free agent acquisition Nolan Carroll and 2013 undrafted free agent Travis Long were among a handful of under-the-radar players highlighted by Matt Lombardo of NJ.com. Now two years removed from a reconstructed ACL, Long is pushing for a roster spot and has drawn praise from Kelly.
- Long would help his chances of making the roster by proving himself valuable on special teams, an area the Eagles have made a concerted effort to improve, notes ESPN’s Phil Sheridan: “The Eagles added Bryan Braman, a linebacker who excelled on special teams in Houston, and cornerback Nolan Carroll, an excellent gunner on coverage teams. Safety Chris Maragos was a special teams regular for Seattle last year. Darren Sproles, who will see plenty of time on offense, is a first-rate return man.”
- Is Matt Barkley‘s arm strength a major concern? Jimmy Kempski of Philly.com thinks so.
- Army product Alejandro Villanueva, an undrafted free agent, is a long shot, but his work ethic is noteworthy and worth reading about. Kelly told team website writer Bo Wulf he’s “amazed at everything that Alejandro does.”
Minicamp Updates: Jets, Jags, Dolphins, Orton
The minicamps being held around the NFL this week are mandatory for players on rosters, but those aren’t the only guys in attendance. Many clubs are also auditioning non-roster players who are hoping to earn contracts and the opportunity to compete in training camp for a regular-season roster spot. Here are the latest updates from minicamps around the league:
- As Brian Costello of the New York Post notes in a pair of tweets, running back Mike Goodson isn’t in attendance at the Jets‘ minicamp, but the team does have six players in for tryouts, including ex-Steelers punter Drew Butler. Punter Jacob Schum, kickers Andrew Furney and Carson Wiggs, and offensive linemen Bruce Campbell and Ray Dominguez are also auditioning for the club.
- Long snapper Charley Hughlett, cornerback Junior Mertile, punter Kasey Redfern, and wide receiver Nathan Slaughter are trying out for the Jaguars, tweets John Oehser of Jaguars.com.
- Former Ravens offensive lineman Ramon Harewood is among five tryout players at camp with the Dolphins, tweets ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan. Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel (Twitter link) provides the other four names: Andy Wilder (P), Kevin Fogg (DB), Mike Farrell (OL), and Kevin Matthews (OL).
- As anticipated, Kyle Orton isn’t present at the Cowboys‘ facility today for minicamp, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
- Justin Houston, who is seeking a new contract, isn’t expected to attend the Chiefs‘ minicamp this week, a source tells Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
- Master Tesfatsion of the Star Tribune breaks down what to watch at the Vikings‘ minicamp, while Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group and Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com do the same for the Raiders and Eagles, respectively.
East Notes: Pats, Beckham, Beatty
There were a great deal of notes from the league’s east divisions today. Our Luke Adams and Dallas Robinson rounded up some of those notes earlier this evening, and we will close out the night by emptying out our east notebook.
- The Patriots appear to be playing musical chairs with Kyle Auffray and Derrick Johnson. The team cut Auffray earlier today after signing him last week, and Johnson was the player the Pats released to make room for Auffray. Now, however, Johnson may be back in the fold. Mike Lowe of the Portland Press Herald reports that Johnson was told by the club that he would be re-signed once he recovered from a sprained left knee that caused him to miss a week of practices. The former University of Maine receiver hopes to be ready for New England’s three-day minicamp that opens tomorrow (or at least by training camp in July).
- Brian Costello of the New York Post outlines the Jets‘ search for a No. 2 receiver to play opposite major free agent acquisition Eric Decker. Stephen Hill and David Nelson took the most reps at that spot during the portion of the team’s OTAs that were open to the media, and though Nelson is probably the favorite, wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal seems to believe Hill may finally begin to live up to his still-significant potential.
- In the same piece, Costello looks at other major storylines surrounding the Jets this summer, including the injury status of Dee Milliner and Willie Colon and the progress of rookie tight end Jace Amaro.
- Paul Schwartz of the New York Post examines the injury status of Giants left tackle Will Beatty. Although Beatty stills hopes to be ready for the start of training camp on July 21, there is no guarantee he will even be given clearance to play in the season opener on September 8. Even if he is ready, his poor play in 2013 and the fact that the team did not make any meaningful moves to address the left tackle position in the offseason leaves plenty of room for concern.
- In the same piece, Schwartz writes that the Giants may hold first-round pick Odell Beckham Jr. out of minicamp as a result of his hamstring injury. Although Beckham insists the injury is minor, the team will undoubtedly want to play it safe with him.
- Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com shares some of his notes on what he has seen from the Eagles thus far this offseason. He writes that the struggles of Mark Sanchez and Matt Barkley have been overblown, as have the Jordan Matthews–Terrell Owens comparisons. He adds that, outside of kicker, there are no real position battles to watch out for at this point.
- James Walker of ESPN.com gives a list of top storylines to look out for during the Dolphins‘ three-day mandatory minicamp that begins Tuesday, including the development of Bill Lazor‘s offense and the position battles at left guard, running back, slot receiver, and cornerback.
Extra Points: Colts, Houston, Chiefs, Ryans
In his latest mailbag, John Clayton of ESPN.com writes that sub defensive packages are now the new normal in the NFL, as teams continue to add more versatile defenders on passing downs in an effort to stop high-powered offenses. Clayton labels the Seahawks as the “gold standard” in the sub department, pointing out that defensive linemen Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett, paid $6.5MM and $4.8MM respectively in 2013, only “started” a combined five games, yet were key cogs on the league’s most dominant defense. He lists the Buccaneers, who added Michael Johnson in free agency, and the Texans, who drafted Jadeveon Clowney, as teams who could vastly improve in nickel and dime situations in 2014.
- Safety Jordan Pugh tried out for the Colts today, reports Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. The 26-year-old was a 2010 sixth-round pick by the Panthers, and spent the past two seasons with the Redskins.
- Justin Houston is looking for a contract extension with the Chiefs, and as such, head coach Andy Reid isn’t sure if the pass rusher will be attending minicamp, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. “I don’t know that,” said Reid. “I expect them all to be here and then whoever is here, we’re going to coach them. If they don’t show up, I understand the profession. I’ve been around it a long time and I just move on. That’s how it works. You coach who you have, and you coach them like crazy.”
- Speaking of the Chiefs, Jeffri Chadiha of ESPN.com examines the team’s defense in the wake of Brandon Flowers‘ release, and writes that defensive coordinator Bob Sutton might be part of the reason for Kansas City defensive woes. Sutton, whose scheme might have expedited Flowers’ departure, seemed unwilling to make adjustments in 2013 even when it was apparent his defense was flailing.
- Eagles middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans played 96% of the team’s defensive snaps last season, and defensive coordinator Billy Davis intends to reduce that number, writes Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com. “We want DeMeco for the long haul this season, and so many times when you overwork a veteran — and he takes great care of his body — but it’s a lot of games,” said Davis. “I think we have more depth than we had and more experience and more people who can play versatile roles in the defense. I think it’ll help.”
- We learned earlier today that the Cowboys don’t expect Kyle Orton to show up for the team’s minicamp this week, and ESPN.com’s Calvin Watkins says a team source has confirmed that view (via Twitter).