HEADLINES

Chris Clemons (S)

East Notes: Tannehill, Jets, Bryant

September 7th, 2014 at 10:13am CST by Rory Parks

For Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, 2014 may well be the season that determines his future in the league. As Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes, the Dolphins must decide by May 2015 if they want to exercise Tannehill’s fifth-year option for 2016. Since Tannehill was a top-10 pick, that option would pay him the average salary of the 10 highest-paid quarterbacks in the league (about $15MM).

However, if Tannehill and the Dolphins offense thrive this season under the leadership of new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, Miami could offer their young-signal caller a long-term extension, which the Bengals gave to Andy Dalton and the 49ers gave to Colin Kaepernick after their third seasons in the league.

Statistically, Tannehill’s second season compares favorably to Matt Ryan‘s, which is certainly encouraging for Miami fans. On the other hand, out of the 18 quarterbacks drafted in the top 10 from 2000-2011, seven saw their quarterback ratings drop in their third season.

Whether Tannehill takes a third-year leap like Ryan or a third-year tumble like Mark Sanchez will of course play a significant role in his own fortunes, but it will also go a long way in determining the fate of the franchise. As Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald writes, “This is going to be one of those defining seasons that either settles the franchise for the near future or points the whole place in a completely different direction.” And so much of that hinges on Tannehill’s right arm.

Now for a couple more notes from the league’s east divisions:

  • In the same piece linked above, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins made an inquiry, but not an offer, to former starting safety Chris Clemons after he was released by the Texans. Reshad Jones is serving a four-game suspension to begin the season, and if the Dolphins do not like what they see from their secondary in today’s opener against New England, they could bring Clemons back into the fold next week and would not have to guarantee his salary for the remainder of the season.
  • Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News writes that, given the Jets‘ ample salary cap space, created in large part by GM John Idzik‘s failure to adequately address the team’s cornerback position this offseason–along with the holes stemming from those failures–head coach Rex Ryan should not be worried about his job security at the end of the season.
  • I wrote up the latest piece of news on the Bills‘ ownership saga earlier today.
  • Kevin Patra of NFL.com writes that, since the Cowboys and star wide receiver Dez Bryant were unable to hammer out an extension before today’s season opener, Bryant will be a logical candidate to get the franchise tag.

 

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/09/06/4332422/armando-salguero-history-says.html#storylink=cpy

Extra Points: Watt, Galette, Lions, Dez

September 3rd, 2014 at 10:21pm CST by Zachary Links

In a piece for the Sporting News, Jason Fitzgerald looks at the far-reaching impact of J.J. Watt‘s $100MM contract with the Texans. The large cash payouts on the front end of his contract and the virtually guaranteed nature of those payouts, despite the lack of contract leverage, should have an impact on rookie contracts of all positions going forward. So for the extensions for the 2011 class have come with minimal guarantees and protection in the contracts but this deal, which basically treated Watt as a veteran free agent, could change that. More from around the NFL..

  • Mike Triplett of ESPN.com (on Twitter) confirmed with a league source that Junior Galette‘s $41.5MM deal with the Saints is all new money. That’s in addition to the $4MM he was already due in 2014 and ’15. Triplett adds that value could increase to $48MM if Galette notches 12 sacks this year (link). He got a $3.5MM signing bonus in the contract and is due a $12.5MM bonus next year.
  • The Lions are worked out cornerback Roc Carmichael today, a league source tells Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). Carmichael last played for the Eagles. The Lions also tried out fellow defensive backs Tommie Campbell, Chris Clemons, and Anthony Walters, Howard Balzer of USA Today (Twitter link).
  • Dez Bryant is talking about a new deal with the Cowboys, but he insists his focus in on beating the 49ers in Week 1, writes David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. “Man, look, it’s like this,’’ Bryant said. “My mind is focused on San Fran. It’s the only thing it’s focused on. All the other stuff is going to take care of itself, I promise.’’
  • The Bengals worked out Brendon Kay, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

Bears Notes: Tryouts, Clemons, Long Snapper

August 31st, 2014 at 7:46pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bears have reportedly added five players to their practice squad, but Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that the team also worked out 11 additional players today (all via Twitter):

There’s a chance that a couple of those players could ultimately catch on with the squad, and we’ll likely learn more once the team releases an official announcement. In the meantime, let’s check out some more notes from the Windy City…

  • The Bears didn’t have any interest in safety Chris Clemons this past spring, and the Biggs tweets that it’s “uncertain” if the team would reconsider bringing in the recently-release veteran.
  • The Bears let go of long snapper Brandon Hartson earlier today, and the team is now in the market for a replacement. Biggs suggests on Twitter that former 49ers long snapper Kevin McDermott could be of interest.
  • Furthermore, ESPNChicago.com’s Jeff Dickerson tweets that the team worked out three long snappers today, including Jeremy Cain. Biggs adds on Twitter that the team also hosted Luke Ingram and Casey Kreiter.

Texans Release Chris Clemons

August 31st, 2014 at 3:31pm CST by Dallas Robinson

On a day where a multitude of lesser-known players have either changed teams through the waiver process or been assigned to a practice squad, the Texans have made several higher-profile moves — after acquiring Ryan Mallett earlier today, the team has released veteran safety Chris Clemons, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.

Clemons, 28, signed a two-year deal with Houston that contained $450K in guaranteed money — the Texans will save $800K in cap space for the upcoming season. Clemons had spent the first five seasons of his career with the Dolphins after being selected in the fifth round of the 2009 draft. In five years in Miami, Clemons started 48 games, racking up 207 tackles and four interceptions. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded Clemons as the 19th-best safety in the league last season.

As Clemons looks to latch on with a new team before Week 1, the Texans will likely go with Kendrick Lewis as their starting free safety.

AFC Notes: Jones-Drew, Blount, Collie

March 28th, 2014 at 6:49pm CST by Peter Sowards

As new Raiders running back Maurice Jones-Drew restarts his career in Oakland, he won’t be handed the starting job. Jones-Drew told Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle that it’s a “wide-open” competition at running back (Twitter link), presumably between himself and incumbent Darren McFadden, who was re-signed to a one-year deal earlier this month.

Neither runner did much of anything in 2013, with McFadden rushing for 379 yards in 10 games, while Jones-Drew totaled 803 yards rushing in 15 games, averaging 3.4 yards per carry, just 0.1 yards better than McFadden. Behind McFadden and MJD are Latavius Murray, Kory Sheets and Jeremy Stewart, none of whom have starting experience.

Jones-Drew said on his conference call today that he’s looking forward to playing for an organization that he has loved since he was a little kid, and that he feels he was done wrong by the Jaguars (Twitter links).

Catch more AFC notes in the links below:

  • The Patriots were interested in re-signing running back LeGarrette Blount, but only for one year, reports Boston Globe writer Ben Volin (via Twitter). Blount ended up signing a two-year deal with the Steelers worth $3.85MM.
  • Looking to add weapons to a somewhat depleted receiving corps, Boston Herald beat reporter Jeff Howe tweets that the Patriots could re-sign Austin Collie and add a “Miles Austin-type” in the future.
  • The Texans are still almost $9MM under the salary cap after signing safety Chris Clemons to a two-year deal worth $2.7MM, reports John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).

Texans To Sign Chris Clemons

March 28th, 2014 at 4:45pm CST by Luke Adams

4:45pm: Clemons’ two-year deal with the Texans will be worth $2.7MM, with $450K guaranteed, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.

4:09pm: The Texans have agreed to terms on a two-year deal with safety Chris Clemons, according to Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The former Dolphin, of course, is not the same Chris Clemons that signed with the Jaguars earlier this month.

The newest Texan joins a crowded mix of safeties in Houston, considering the team already added Kendrick Lewis to a group that figures to include Shiloh Keo, Danieal Manning, and D.J. Swearinger as well. Earlier today, Ganguli reported that the Texans were working on getting Manning to accept a pay cut, so it’ll be interesting to see how the signing of Clemons relates to that situation — if Manning declines, perhaps Clemons will replace him on the roster. Either way, a restructure or release of Manning would help create some cap flexibility to put toward Clemons’ deal.

Clemons, 28, started all 32 games for the Dolphins over the last two seasons, recording 92 tackles and an interception in 2013. Only Reshad Jones played more snaps in 2013 at safety than Clemons, who graded as the league’s 19th-best player at the position among 86 qualified candidates, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required).

Texans, Manning Working On New Deal

March 28th, 2014 at 10:24am CST by Luke Adams

10:24am: Ganguli has issued a correction to her initial report, tweeting that Manning hasn’t actually agreed to a pay cut yet. The Texans are working on a new agreement, says Ganguli.

9:46am: Heading into the final year of his contract, Danieal Manning won’t be a cap casualty, according to Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com (via Twitter), who says that the Texans defensive back has agreed to restructure his deal. Unless the new agreement tacks extra years onto the contract, Manning figures to take a pay cut to reduce his cap number.

Manning, 31, suffered a fractured fibula in October 2013, forcing him to miss 10 games. As such, the Texans could create some cap relief by reworking his deal to include playing-time incentives. Because the ex-Bear only appeared in six contests, incentives based on appearing in more games this season would be considered “unlikely to be earned,” meaning they wouldn’t initially be included on Houston’s cap. That scenario would give Manning a chance to earn back a chunk of his original salary if he’s healthy.

Prior to agreeing to restructure his deal, Manning was set to earn a $4.5MM base salary. Combined with a $1.5MM hit for a prorated bonus, his cap number had been $6MM.

According to Ganguli (via Twitter), armed with the extra cap room afforded by Manning’s pay cut, the Texans may pursue free agent safety Chris Clemons, who was drafted by Houston director of pro personnel Brian Gaine in Miami.

NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Vikings

March 22nd, 2014 at 4:34pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Bears added three safeties during free agency, but aren’t yet finished at the position, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. While Ryan Mundy could be in a position to compete for a starting job, M.D. Jennings and Danny McCray are more likely depth signings who will see time on special teams. The team could still look to add another safety in the draft, or in free agency closer to the season.

Here are some other notes from around the NFC North:

  • The Lions will likely be looking to draft the best player available in the first round, which likely means they will not be drafting an offensive lineman, writes Mike Rothstein of ESPN.com. With the top two offensive linemen in Greg Robinson of Auburn and Jake Matthews of Texas A&M likely off the board, Rothstein does not see the team reaching for the next tackle at that pick.
  • Rothstein also writes that he does not expect the Lions to rely on the draft to fill all the needs in the secondary. Specifically, he envisions the team signing one of the three safeties who recently visited, in James Ihedigbo, Chris Clemons, and Thomas DeCoud. Signing one of those players would not preclude the team from using the first-round pick on a defensive back.
  • The Vikings are in the market for a quarterback in this draft, writes Ben Goessling of ESPN.com, but may not get a chance to draft one early in the first round. The team is exploring other options, appearing at Fresno State’s pro day to watch Derek Carr, and to heading to San Jose State’s pro day to scout David Fales.

Lions Re-Sign Andre Fluellen

March 21st, 2014 at 11:20am CST by Luke Adams

The Lions have re-signed defensive tackle Andre Fluellen, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). Fluellen, who has spent nearly all of his six NFL seasons in Detroit, had been an unrestricted free agent.

With the signing, the Lions add some depth to their defensive line by bringing back a familiar face. Last season, Fluellen appeared in 170 defensive snaps for the club, recording three tackles, pressuring the quarterback five times, and recovering a fumble. He’ll almost certainly be on a minimum salary benefit deal.

Meanwhile, the Lions continue to seek out upgrades in other areas of their defense. Earlier today, we heard that the team was eyeing three potential options at safety, including James Ihedigbo and Thomas DeCoud. Birkett reports (via Twitter) that DeCoud left today’s visit in Detroit without a deal in place, but he’s not the only free agent the team is hosting. According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter), safety Chris Clemons is visiting with the Lions today, making him the third safety the club is considering.

Poll: Best Remaining Free Agent

March 15th, 2014 at 10:52pm CST by Peter Sowards

It’s been an exciting and busy few days since the 2014 NFL league year officially opened Tuesday, and many of the top free agents have already relocated or re-signed with their respective teams. Also, marquee names released by clubs — like DeMarcus Ware and Darrelle Revis — have landed with top contenders priming for Super Bowl runs.

That being said, we’re interested in seeing who you think is the best remaining free agent. We’ll start with the players remaining from Luke Adams’ top 25 NFL free agents, then add players like Antonio Cromartie who were released by their teams and have yet to be signed.

Feel free to defend your vote in the comments section below.