Extra Points: Ridley, Cameron, Freeney, Irsay
It’s been an up-and-down three years in New England for running back Stevan Ridley, who followed up a breakout 2012 season with a 2013 campaign in which he struggled with fumbles and ceded carries to LeGarrette Blount, among others. As he enters a contract year though, Ridley recognizes that he controls his fate and is looking forward to rebuilding his stock on the field, writes Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. Per Howe, no negotiations have taken place between Ridley and the Patriots, so the 25-year-old back appears likely to reach free agency in 2015 — how much he earns on his next deal will depend in large part on how he performs this year.
Let’s round up a few more odds and ends from across the NFL:
- The Browns and tight end Jordan Cameron have discussed a possible contract extension, but aren’t close to getting anything done, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. As La Canfora observes, Kyle Rudolph‘s agreement with the Vikings could help bolster Cameron’s negotiating position.
- As Alex Marvez details in a piece for FOX Sports, Dwight Freeney’s Chargers teammates weren’t sure he’d be back in 2014 after tearing his quadriceps last year, but the veteran pass rusher is healthy and ready to contribute in the last year of his contract.
- Based on the buzz he’s hearing, Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole (video link) expects Colts owner Jim Irsay to receive a longer suspension than the one doled out to Ray Rice, as well as a hefty fine.
- Retirement decisions like Sidney Rice’s and Travelle Wharton’s carry a bit more weight this year, since the NFL likely won’t fight the inclusion of recently-retired players in the pending concussion settlement, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
- There aren’t many team-friendly veteran contracts on the Panthers’ books, according to Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap, who reluctantly picks Nate Chandler as the club’s best deal, for its upside. Fitzgerald identifies Jonathan Stewart’s contract as Carolina’s worst.
AFC Notes: Ravens, Pats, Chargers, Moreno
The Ravens’ free agent activity has been characterized by value signings, writes ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley. The team was able to sign four starters and their top kick returner without breaking the bank. Additionally, the Ravens will actually be paying Steve Smith less ($4.5MM) than the Panthers ($5MM) are on the hook for this season.
Other AFC news and notes:
- In a mailbag piece, Hensley also says 2014 will be an important season for Lardarius Webb, whose cap hit jumps from $5.39MM to $10.5MM. Meanwhile, 2013 third-rounder Brandon Williams figures to have an increased role on the defensive line following the departure of Arthur Jones.
- In the past, Bill Belichick has built his defenses inside out, but Boston.com’s Erik Frenz wonders if the signings of cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner “point to a change in that philosophy — or, at the very least, a golden opportunity to make the switch.”
- Free agent Knowshon Moreno visited the Dolphins on Friday, but departed without a contract, writes the Palm Beach Post’s Andrew Abramson, who compares Moreno to Miami’s current running backs.
- Chargers personnel has been getting in-person looks at edge pass rush prospects, including UCLA’s Anthony Barr, Boise State’s DeMarcus Lawrence and BYU’s Kyle Van Noy, according to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The team’s projected outside linebacker starters, Dwight Freeney and Jarret Johnson, will be 34 and 33, respectively, this season, while disappointing 2009 first-rounder Larry English is a free agent at season’s end.
Extra Points: Freeney, Young, Edelman
Dwight Freeney has agreed to take a pay cut to remain with the Chargers, according to Michael Gehlken of the U-T San Diego. The move clears about $900,000 in cap space for the team and reduces Freeney’s base salary from $2.5MM down to $1.625MM. It also reduces his roster bonus from $500,000 to $375,000.
Other notes from around the league this evening…
- Before signing with the Raiders, safety Usama Young visited with the Panthers, reports ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan (via Twitter).
- The re-signing of wide receiver Julian Edelman put a cherry on the top of a productive week for the Patriots, writes Ben Volin of The Boston Globe. The Pats signed cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner and re-signed tight end Michael Hoomanawanui.
- Jaguars defensive lineman Red Bryant told KJR Radio that the Seahawks never asked him about restructuring his contract before releasing him, according to Todd Dybas of The News Tribune.
- Colts GM Ryan Grigson has impressed ESPN’s Mike Wells with the team’s moves thus far, he writes.