HEADLINES

Brian Schwenke

Colts Release C Brian Schwenke

September 3rd, 2017 at 1:16pm CST by Zachary Links

The Colts have released center Brian Schwenke, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Schwenke was projected to serve as valuable support at center in the wake of Ryan Kelly‘s foot injury. The Colts have given the starting gig to undrafted rookie free agent Deyshawn Bond and he’ll apparently get most of his relief from reserve guard/center Adam Redmond.

Both the Jets and Seahawks pursued Schwenke this offseason, so those two clubs could circle back to him now that he is once again available. As a vested veteran, Schwenke goes straight to free agency without first being subject to waivers.

Colts Sign Brian Schwenke

March 13th, 2017 at 9:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Colts continue to make depth signings as the day progresses, with their latest coming over from a division rival. Brian Schwenke agreed to terms with the Colts on a one-year deal, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. The Colts announced the move.

A fifth-year interior offensive lineman, Schwenke visited the Colts earlier today, joining defensive end Margus Hunt as UFAs to trek to Indianapolis and reach agreements to join the team. Schwenke spent four seasons with the Titans and drew interest from other teams but will end up on a Colts line that has some uncertainty.

While Anthony Castonzo, Jack Mewhort and Ryan Kelly are entrenched starters, the right side of Indianapolis’ front isn’t solidified. Schwenke will likely compete for the right guard position while serving as depth behind Kelly. The Colts have several young players vying for time on the right side of the line, so Schwenke — who started 25 games as Tennessee’s center from 2013-15 — should factor in here. A clear line of demarcation in the former Boston College snapper’s career came when he broke his leg in October of 2015. The Titans then moved Schwenke to guard after signing Ben Jones last year.

Both the Jets and Seahawks pursued Schwenke this offseason, but the soon-to-be 26-year-old blocker will stay in the AFC South.

AFC Rumors: Browns, Steelers, Titans, Jets

March 7th, 2017 at 10:25pm CST by Dallas Robinson

While the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering window has been relatively slow, things figure to heat up in the coming days as the new league year approaches. Two AFC North clubs stand to be in on the action, as the Browns and Steelers are both expected to be active when free agency begins, per Tony Grossi of ESPN.com (Twitter link) and Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com (Twitter link). Pittsburgh will be “working the phones” more than usual, per Kinkhabwala, but that doesn’t mean the usually conservative team will be targeting more free agents than is customary.

Here’s more from the AFC:

  • Although the Titans have interest in retaining safety Rashad Johnson, he’s expected to have other suitors, tweets Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com. Johnson, 31, signed a one-year, $2MM deal with Tennessee last offseason, and proceeded to start seven games for the club in 2016, posting 38 tackles in the process. He ranks as PFR’s No. 15 free agent safety, just behind Mike Adams and Jairus Byrd.
  • The Jets are expected to pursue interior offensive lineman Brian Schwenke, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Schwenke, 26 this month, started 28 games during his four-year run with Tennessee, but lost his hold on the club’s starting center job when the Titans inked Ben Jones last offseason. Also capable of playing guard, Schwenke has also been linked to Seattle.
  • Although previous reports have indicated Sylvester Williams is not only likely to test the market, but leave the Broncos altogether, Denver does have “some interest” in retaining the former first-round defensive lineman, reports Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Williams hasn’t lived up to his draft billing, but does offer 48 games of starting experience. The Broncos declined his 2018 fifth-year option last summer.

NFC Rumors: Bucs, Redskins, Seahawks

March 7th, 2017 at 7:22pm CST by Zachary Links

Buccaneers wide receiver and special-teams captain Russell Shepard currently has interest from six teams, including the Bucs, a source tells Jenna Laine of ESPN.com. About half of those teams see him as a No. 3 receiver, with a chance of being a No. 2. The other teams have offered to make him “one of the highest-paid special-teams players in the league with multiple offensive packages,” the source told Laine. I would surmise that this news comes from Shepard’s agent, so it should perhaps be taken with a grain of salt.

More NFC rumors:

  • The Redskins have interest in receiver Marquise Goodwin, per Mike Jones, Master Tesfatsion and Liz Clarke of the Washington Post. The onetime Olympian (track and field) has thus far spent his four-year career in Buffalo, where he has totaled 49 receptions and six touchdowns in 39 games. Goodwin set career highs last year with 15 appearances, 29 catches, 68 targets and 431 yards. He also tied a personal best with three touchdowns.
  • Despite non-tendering him, the Seahawks still would like cornerback DeShawn Shead back in 2017, his agent tells Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. Shead started in all 15 of his regular-season appearances last year, but the torn ACL he suffered in the Seahawks’ divisional-round loss to the Falcons led the club to non-tender him. Clearly, though, they want like him in the fold at a lesser salary than he would have made if healthy.
  • Along with Shead, the Seahawks have interior offensive lineman Brian Schwenke on their radar, writes Condotta. Schwenke’s a four-year Titan with 41 appearances and 28 starts on his resume. The 25-year-old took part in a career-high 16 games last season, but he only picked up three starts.

Connor Byrne contributed to this post.

Top 2017 Free Agents By Position 2.0: Offense

March 6th, 2017 at 11:00pm CST by Zachary Links

NFL free agency is right around the corner! The legal tampering period starts on Tuesday and free agency officially starts on Thursday. The list of available free agents will change between now and then as players re-sign with teams or get cut loose, but we have a pretty good idea of who will be available right now. After looking at the top defensive players, we now shift our attention to the other side of the ball.

Here are our rankings for the top 15 free agents at each position. The rankings aren’t determined by earning power, they are simply the players we like the most at each position, with a combination of short- and long-term value taken into account. You won’t find restricted free agents or franchise tagged guys here since they are unlikely to go leave their current clubs.

Player evaluation is always subjective, so we encourage you to make your voices heard in the comments section in cases where you disagree with us.

Here’s our breakdown of the current top 15 free agents by offensive position for 2017:

Updated 3-7-2017, 2:55pm CT

Quarterback:

  1. Mike Glennon
  2. Nick Foles
  3. Brian Hoyer (story)
  4. Ryan Fitzpatrick
  5. Colin Kaepernick
  6. Josh McCown
  7. Case Keenum
  8. Matt McGloin
  9. Mark Sanchez
  10. Ryan Mallett
  11. Christian Ponder
  12. Blaine Gabbert
  13. Geno Smith
  14. Matt Schaub (story)
  15. EJ Manuel

Honorable mention: Ryan Nassib, Landry Jones, Shaun Hill Mike Glennon (vertical)

Colin Kaepernick’s agents have (wisely) let everyone know that their client will stand for the National Anthem in 2017. That may seem like a minor point, but teams say they would have automatically removed him from consideration if he continued his attention-grabbing protest. He grabbed headlines for his actions on the sidelines last year, but he actually turned in an OK season. From a football standpoint, Kaepernick would make sense for a lot of teams as a QB2 with upside.

Interestingly, this list includes three quarterbacks who couldn’t cut it as the Jets’ starter and three rejects from the 49ers. They say that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure and all six of those players (Ryan Fitzpatrick, Kaepernick, Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith, Christian Ponder, Blaine Gabbert) come with varying degrees of potential and proven effectiveness. Smith, somehow, could reportedly be retained by the Jets and installed as the starter in 2017.

Ryan Nassib is just outside of the top 15 here with EJ Manuel getting the final spot. Despite positive word about his play in practice, Nassib is unproven and the Giants’ apparent lack of interest in re-signing him says a lot. It’s also possible that he might not be 100% after ending the 2016 season on IR with an elbow injury. Manuel, for all his warts, has shown potential in small bursts.

Running back:

  1. Eddie Lacy
  2. Adrian Peterson
  3. LeGarrette Blount
  4. Latavius Murray
  5. Jamaal Charles
  6. Darren McFadden
  7. Jacquizz Rodgers
  8. Rex Burkhead
  9. Rashad Jennings
  10. Danny Woodhead
  11. Tim Hightower
  12. DeAngelo Williams
  13. Andre Ellington
  14. Chris Johnson
  15. Christine Michael

Honorable mention: Robert Turbin, Travaris Cadet, Benny Cunningham, Lance Dunbar, Bobby Rainey, Brandon Bolden, Denard Robinson, James Starks

Adrian Peterson (vertical)As expected, the Vikings have cut Adrian Peterson loose and he is expected to garner interest from contending clubs this week. Some might peg Peterson as the most talented running back in this year’s free agent class, but it all comes down to how you weigh his age and injury history. Peterson has shocked the football world in the past with an incredible comeback, but I’m a little skeptical of his ability to do it again in his age-32 season. Eddie Lacy, who has injury question marks of his own, takes the top spot at the position.

The Patriots believe they won’t be able to match the offers that come in LeGarrette Blount‘s direction. Latavius Murray could circle back to the Raiders, but he won’t be agreeing to a deal with them before free agency opens on Thursday.

Jamaal Charles has the most impressive resume of anyone on this list, with the exception of Peterson. However, no one knows exactly what he can do after playing eight games in the last two years. He’ll turn 31 in December and that’s usually not an indicator of success for running backs.

Read more

Saturday Mailbags: Jets, Titans, Colts, Saints

June 11th, 2016 at 4:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here’s the latest from around the NFL during minicamp month.

  • Muhammad Wilkerson (still) isn’t expected to draw a long-term offer from the Jets any time soon, and Gang Green as it stands now doesn’t house any other 2016 extension-worthy players, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com writes. The Jets possess barely $3MM in cap space right now, and that’s without Ryan Fitzpatrick in the fold, and Cimini expects talk of a Sheldon Richardson extension to ramp up come 2017. Emerging cornerback Marcus Williams looms as another name for Gang Green to consider next year for a long-term pact in Cimini’s view.
  • Brian Schwenke has taken reps at left guard during Titans workouts, as his center position figures to belong to the recently signed Ben Jones, Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com notes. Going into his contract year, Schwenke has started in each of the 25 games he’s played. But that streak may come to an end if the former fourth-round pick out of Cal can’t beat out Jeremiah Poutasi at left guard. This poses as an interesting competition, considering Poutasi saw most of his snaps at right tackle last season and Schwenke has played center since 2013, although Schwenke played guard for three years with the Golden Bears. The latter broke his leg last October and continues to rehabilitate toward 100% health.
  • The Colts are not planning to sign a wide receiver to function as their No. 4 man behind T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief and Phillip Dorsett but instead to leave such a role to their young incumbents, Kevin Bowen of Colts.com writes. Former Patriots backups Josh Boyce and Brian Tyms headline that competition for a role that may take on more significance this season now that Indianapolis doesn’t boast an obvious No. 2 tight end immediately worthy of forcing the team into two-tight end sets with Coby Fleener‘s in New Orleans.
  • Although newly re-signed Roman Harper mentioned he observed the Saints running mostly 3-4 concepts during OTAs this week, Evan Woodberry of NOLA.com expects the team’s base to be a 4-3. Now-full-time Saints DC Dennis Allen‘s units with the Broncos and Raiders both used 4-3 alignments.

Combine Updates: Browns, Buccaneers, Titans

February 24th, 2016 at 11:56am CST by Luke Adams

General managers and head coaches around the league are speaking to the media on Wednesday and Thursday at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, and while most of them will only generally address their pending free agents or other noteworthy contract situations, a handful have revealed some interesting tidbits.

Here are a few updates from the sessions so far:

Cleveland Browns:

  • Browns head coach Hue Jackson, who said the team will take a hard-line stance when it comes to not tolerating off-field behavior like Johnny Manziel‘s, was also asked about players like Josh Gordon (suspended) and Armonty Bryant (arrested). Jackson said he has spoken to Bryant, and will meet with Gordon if and when he’s reinstated, stressing that he wants high-character players and will evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis (Twitter links via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com and Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal).
  • Jackson guaranteed that the Browns will come out of this year’s draft having picked a quarterback. However, he cautioned that the team might not use the No. 2 overall pick to select a signal-caller (Twitter link via Cabot).
  • Jackson conceded that if the fit is right, he would value potential free agents who had previous experience in his system (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich). Bengals wideouts Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu might fit that bill.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

  • Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said today that the team doesn’t have any indication of whether veteran guard Logan Mankins is leaning toward retiring or playing in 2016. That decision won’t affect the Bucs either way though, according to Licht, who says the team expects to hear from Mankins within the next few weeks (Twitter links via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times).
  • Licht will meet with Doug Martin‘s agent this week, and said he’s optimistic about the possibility of working out a new deal for the running back (Twitter link via Stroud).
  • If the Bucs don’t re-sign Martin, they’ll be prepared to address the position either in free agency or the draft, says Licht (Twitter link via Stroud).
  • Licht expects to concentrate primarily on defensive players in the draft, but that won’t stop the Bucs from grabbing an offensive player if he’s the top player on their board (Twitter link via Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune).

Tennessee Titans:

  • Titans head coach Mike Mularkey views Brian Schwenke‘s injuries as a potential cause for concern, and said the team won’t rule out the pursuit of a veteran center (Twitter link via Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com).
  • Defensive tackle Al Woods is one of the Titans pending free agents that the team is talking to and wants to keep, according to Mularkey (Twitter link via McCormick).
  • Mularkey doesn’t believe the Titans’ moves in free agency will tip off what the team plans to do with the No. 1 pick in the draft, per Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. “I don’t know that it’s a telltale sign — if we do this, we won’t do that,” Mularkey said.
  • The Titans don’t currently plan on making any more roster cuts prior to the start of free agency, Mularkey said (Twitter link via McCormick).
  • If the Titans ultimately decide to trade the first overall pick in the draft, they’ll be looking for a “fair deal,” not necessarily one that lines up with the old draft-pick value chart, per GM Jon Robinson (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com).

2016 Proven Performance Escalators

February 12th, 2016 at 5:53pm CST by Dallas Robinson

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:Keenan Allen (Vertical)

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

Titans’ Brian Schwenke Fractures Leg

October 18th, 2015 at 5:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Titans are making new plans for their starting center position after learning third-year starter Brian Schwenke fractured his tibia and dislocated his ankle, Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).

Tennessee will turn to rookie Andy Gallik at the position for the foreseeable future, most likely for the remainder of the season.

The 24-year-old Schwenke, who has started all 25 games in which he’s been active for the Titans, was carted off the field during Tennessee’s loss to Miami. This marks the third straight season the former fourth-round pick’s season will be interrupted by a serious injury.

The Cal alum missed seven games with an ankle malady as a rookie before missing the Titans’ final five contests last season due to a torn MCL.

Also 24, Gallik’s played in three games thus far this season.

 

Minor Moves: Tuesday

November 25th, 2014 at 6:05pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Tuesday’s minor 53-man roster moves from around the NFL:

Earlier updates:

  • The Titans have swapped one offensive lineman for another, placing starting center Brian Schwenke on injured reserve and signing interior lineman Eric Olsen to replace him, says Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (Twitter links). Presumably, Chris Spencer, who replaced Schwenke on Sunday after the second-year starter suffered a knee injury, will be the starting center going forward, with Olsen providing depth.
  • The Dolphins have added a cornerback, according to agent David Canter, who tweets that his client R.J. Stanford has signed with Miami. The move has yet to be announced by the team, so it’s not clear yet what the corresponding cut will be, but there’s a decent chance that it could involve Jamar Taylor landing on injured reserve — the cornerback left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury and at least one report indicated it could end his season.
  • We heard earlier today that Chargers center Rich Ohrnberger was expected to miss the rest of the season with a back injury, and the team has confirmed as much, announcing in a press release that Ohrnberger has been placed on injured reserve. San Diego has promoted linebacker Cordarro Law from the club’s practice squad to the active roster to fill the newly-created opening.
  • The Bengals announced another team’s roster move today, tweeting that linebacker Terrell Manning had been signed off their practice squad by the Giants. For their part, the Giants haven’t yet made the signing official by announcing a corresponding move.
  • Washington has released linebacker Akeem Jordan from its injured reserve list, making him a free agent, tweets Zac Boyer of the Washington Times.