AFC North Notes: Shazier, Smith, Hunt, Wilder
Steelers first-rounder Ryan Shazier looks like the “real deal,” according to Mike Prisuta of Steelers.com: “The Steelers knew Shazier was fast when they drafted him No. 1 from The Ohio State University. But since arriving on the South Side of Pittsburgh Shazier has gotten Maurkice Pouncey‘s attention with physicality in practice, stunned Bruce Gradkowski with leaping ability on the way to an interception and impressed Ben Roethlisberger as a potential defensive signal-caller someday. Shazier also has been running with the first-team defense since snap one of OTAs. He’ll still have to do it in pads this summer, but he created a consistent buzz this spring.”
Here’s a few more AFC North notes:
- Ravens head coach John Harbaugh says veteran inside linebacker Daryl Smith, who re-signed for four years and $16MM, played at a high level last season, writes Garrett Downing on BaltimoreRavens.com. That means first-rounder C.J. Mosley and 2013 second-rounder Arthur Brown will compete for playing time next to Smith.
- The Bengals have high expectations for 27-year-old, second-year Estonian defensive end Margus Hunt, writes Geoff Hobson on Bengals.com. A 2013 second-round project, Hunt is a “freakish,” 6-8, 291-pounder who might be ready to contribute at left end.
- Bengals running back James Wilder Jr., an undrafted free agent out of Florida State, claims he broke a team conditioning record, but he’s on the outside looking in for now, says ESPN’s Coley Harvey.
- Browns All-Pro Joe Haden is the latest to (delicately) express concern over Johnny Manziel’s partying ways (radio interview with 850 AM here), but says nothing Manziel is doing away from the team facility is negatively affecting his work. Haden merely suggests, “Just try to have fun without the whole world knowing.”
Ravens To Continue To Add To Roster
Ravens’ head coach John Harbaugh says the team plans on adding more pieces this offseason, reports Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times. Harbaugh and general manager Ozzie Newsome have a plan to put together the best roster possible.
“I think we’re aware of the guys that are still out there, free agents that would be more favorable to sign after June 1 and all that,” Harbaugh said. “We’re going to be watching the waiver wire real close. We’re going to try and get better.”
The team is looking to add to the cornerback position specifically, writes Zenitz. The team brings back starters Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith, but must replace nickel corner Corey Graham. The team only has four corners on the roster that are not undrafted free agent players.
Former fifth-round picks Chykie Brown and Asa Jackson are competing for the third corner spot, but the team will look to add outside competition as well.
The Ravens will also be focusing on right tackle as they look to improve their roster. The team is hoping a pair of 2013 late-round picks, Rick Wagner and Ryan Jensen, can fill the void left by Michael Oher, who joined the Titans this offseason. Eric Winston, who played for Gary Kubiak for six seasons with the Texans is also a viable option should the team look to bring in an outside veteran.
“We had a conversation, Ozzie and I, and I like to think on principle that we really believe this: We want to build as strong of a 53-man roster as we possibly can, and as we do that, try to get stronger every chance we get. We’ll be looking.”
Ravens Notes: Harbaugh, Zuttah, Jensen, Rice
The Ravens organization is “exasperated, as it should be, after receiving too many middle-of-the-night phone calls,” says BaltimoreRavens.com Columnist John Eisenberg, who passes along an “ominous warning shot” to his players: “…when the negativity over-balances your ability to help our football team, you’re not going to be here anymore. Or if we can’t trust your character anymore, then you can’t be a part of what we’re doing anymore.”
In other Ravens news and notes…
- The Ravens have shifted Ryan Jensen, a 2013 sixth-rounder out of Colorado State-Pueblo, from guard-center to right tackle, reports Aaron Wilson in the Baltimore Sun. Jensen started 44 games as a college left tackle, but suffered a broken foot during training camp and did not play in any games last season. He will provide competition/insurance at right tackle, where Ricky Wagner appears to have the inside track on the starting job. The Ravens have a history of successfully converting offensive line prospects, as their starting interior — center Jeremy Zuttah and guards Marshal Yanda and Kelechi Osemele — is comprised of players who were college tackles.
- Speaking of Zuttah, early reports suggest he’s fitting in very well after signing a five-year, $18MM deal, writes Wilson. Harbaugh praised the 27-year-old for his intelligence and maturity, while former NFL executive Louis Riddick said, “Jeremy’s a perfect fit for them. Based on what Gary Kubiak wants to do… that all plays right to Jeremy’s strengths. He’s very athletic… He can do all the things that won’t allow him to get exposed one-on-one as he did at times in the Tampa scheme.”
- In terms of depth, A.Q. Shipley‘s roster spot “is probably more in jeopardy” than Gino Gradkowski‘s, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.
- Ray Rice has had a tumultuous offseason, but perhaps lost in the shuffle is his weight change. According to Wilson (via Twitter), the veteran running back has shed 20 pounds.
- In a minor move, the team signed undrafted outside linebacker D.J. Roberts, who tried out during rookie minicamp. To make room, quarterback Nick Stephens was cut, reports Wilson.
Seahawks, Pete Carroll Agree To Extension
12:31pm: It’s a three-year extension for Carroll, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
FRIDAY, 8:05am: Carroll’s new deal will make him one of the league’s three highest-paid coaches, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
THURSDAY, 10:13pm: The Seahawks and head coach Pete Carroll have agreed to a contract extension, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). The deal will be announced at a press conference on Friday.
Carroll was entering the final season of his five-year, $35MM deal, but it isn’t unprecedented for a championship-winning coach to sign an extension shortly after winning a Super Bowl. Carroll would follow John Harbaugh (Ravens), Tom Coughlin (Giants) and Mike McCarthy (Packers) in a line of coaches that signed extensions after winning a ring. Last offseason, Harbaugh signed a four-year deal worth nearly $7MM a season. Considering Carroll made about that much money in 2013, Carroll’s new deal may exceed Sean Payton‘s league-leading $8MM annual salary. The deal should also have an impact on a potential Jim Harbaugh extension. Harbaugh’s deal is set to expire after the 2015 season.
After eight seasons as an NFL head coach, Carroll won his first Super Bowl this past February. Since taking over as the Seahawks head coach in 2010, the 62-year-old helped take the team from a sub-.500 squad to a perennial contender. Prior to his time in Seattle, Carroll also coached the Patriots and Jets. From 2001-2009, Carroll coached the USC Trojans and led the team to an 83-19 record, establishing the Trojans as one of the premier teams in college football.
Ravens Notes: Smith, Rice, Harbaugh
With NFL owners meeting in Orlando, Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun provided an assessment of the Ravens following their busy month thus far. At this stage, the team is mostly monitoring the market in search of budget-friendly opportunities, but they’re not done spending. According to Zrebiec, the Ravens still need a starting offensive lineman, be it right tackle or left guard, as well as depth at running back, tight end, inside linebacker, defensive back and defensive line.
In other Ravens news:
- Also prominent on the agenda is Torrey Smith, whose contract owner Steve Bisciotti wants to extend prior to the draft, according to Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times (via Twitter). Zenitz says Smith’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, is scheduled to speak with team brass during this week’s meetings.
- Head coach John Harbaugh got a year tacked onto his contract, which now has four years remaining, per Zrebiec (via Twitter).
- Owner Steve Bisciotti told Zrebiec there is no circumstance in which Ray Rice is not a Raven in 2014 (via Twitter).
- Kelechi Osemele, who is recovering from back surgery and could play left guard or right tackle next season, is progressing well if a recent Instagram video is any indication.
- Finally, the team was awarded four compensatory picks (max allowed) in the upcoming draft: a third-round pick (No. 99 overall), two fourths (Nos. 134 and 138) and a fifth (No. 175). Since Ozzie Newsome’s arrival in 1996, the Ravens have been awarded 41 compensatory picks, eight more than any other team, points out Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post (via Twitter).
Free Agency Notes: Pitta, Maclin, Cooper
Taking care of free agent tight end Dennis Pitta is the top priority for the Ravens, according to Bo Smolka of CSN Baltimore.
With the contract extension for linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs in the books, GM Ozzie Newsome said at his Scouting Combine news conference that Baltimore is “concentrating” on locking up the fourth-year BYU player for the foreseeable future.
Smolka notes that Baltimore has until March 3 to apply the franchise tag on Pitta, and they can expect a fight if they do so — Pitta lined up as an in-line tight end less than 25% of the time and will argue he deserves the $11.6MM wide receiver designation, as opposed to the $6.8MM tight end figure.
We talked yesterday about Ravens coach John Harbaugh being optimistic that the team can retain Pitta, as well as offensive tackle Eugene Monroe. Newsome is arguably the finest general manager in the league, so don’t bet against the possibility of him bringing back both players at team-friendly prices.
Some other free agent notes to pass along, in particular dealing with Philadelphia…
- The Eagles are prioritizing Jeremy Maclin over Riley Cooper, NFL sources have told Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
- In a perfect world, McClane says Philadelphia would sign Maclin to a one-year deal, then try to sign another receiver with starting ability.
- In his Thursday interview at the NFL Combine, GM Howie Roseman said it would be a tough sell to keep both players. “You can only put a limited amount of resources into the position before it starts taking out from other places,” he said.
- This previous PFR post takes an in-depth look at the two receivers with the help of Pro Football Focus.