Free Agent Notes: Freeman, Jets, Daniels
ESPN’s Adam Schefter has a trio of re-signings (via Twitter): running back Matt Asiata (Vikings), wide receiver Jeremy Ross (Lions) and linebacker Craig Robertson (Browns). Each player signed an exclusive rights free agent tender to stay with their respect teams. The trio was solid in 2013; Asiata ran for 166 yards on 44 carries, Ross had six receptions and six kick returns and Robertson compiled 85 tackles.
Let’s take a look at some more free agent rumors…
- Quarterback Josh Freeman visited the Bears today, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Freeman finished the season with the Vikings after playing four-plus years with the Buccaneers. The Bears also worked out quarterback Adam Weber (via La Confora’s Twitter) and tight end Matthew Mulligan (via Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs on Twitter).
- There are still eight Jets free agents left on the open market, and Rich Cimini of ESPN.com takes a look at all of their statuses. Cimini mentions that Rex Ryan hasn’t “shut the door” on bringing back Ed Reed, but that a return doesn’t seem likely. Among possible returns, Cimini looks at Josh Mauga and Lex Hilliard.
- Owen Daniels visited with the Patriots before deciding to sign with the Ravens, tweets ESPN.com’s Tania Ganguli. The tight end also visited the Packers and Redskins.
- The Titans have officially cut Chris Johnson, as well as defensive end Adewale Ojomo, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- The Redskins released linebacker Josh Hull, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In 2013, Hull had 14 tackles in 11 games.
FA Rumors: Fletcher, Starks, Penn
Linebacker Dane Fletcher is reportedly visiting with the Raiders, reports Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (via Twitter). Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com reports that while Fletcher is interested in the Raiders, he will not be visiting them until tomorrow (via Twitter).
Here are some other free agent rumors from around the league:
- James Starks will be visiting the Steelers on Monday, reports Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal-Sentinel. Dunne believes that while running back is not a pressing need, the Packers would be interested in bringing Starks back.
- Donald Penn will be visiting with the Redskins on Sunday, reports John Keim of ESPN (via Twitter). The former Buccaneer was released earlier this week.
- The Raiders quarterback situation is still in flux, and Albert Breer of the NFL Network reports that the team is interested in Josh Freeman (via Twitter). The team will also look at Matt Schaub when he is released from the Texans, as expected. In a second tweet he writes that he imagines the Raiders will make a push after those two before considering Michael Vick.
Raiders Targeting Schaub, Sanchez
Matt Schaub and Mark Sanchez are still employed by the Texans and Jets, respectively, but both teams are expected to move on from the veteran quarterbacks. And once they do, a source tells ESPN Reporter Paul Gutierrez that the Raiders will have interest in both quarterbacks, as well as Josh Freeman and Michael Vick, in that order.
As Gutierrez notes, Oakland’s quarterback depth chart consists of Terrelle Pryor, Matt McGloin and Trent Edwards, so adding a well-traveled veteran would be in the team’s best interests.
The rumors swirling around Sanchez have been pretty dormant as of late, but Schaub has been linked to the Browns as recently as Monday. Cleveland recently cleaned house at quarterback, releasing Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell on Wednesday (links here).
AFC Rumors: Griffen, Soliai, Vick, Raiders
The Broncos were high on Everson Griffen and dangling a deal averaging $9MM per season, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports 1. That forced the Vikings to sweeten their offer to keep Griffen in house. Minnesota wound up giving the defensive end a five-year deal worth $42.5MM that includes $20MM guaranteed. More out of the AFC..
- The Colts had interest in nose tackle Paul Soliai before he signed with the Falcons, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN. Soliai got $33MM over five years from Atlanta with $14MM guaranteed over the life of the contract.
- Michael Vick will likely wait until after the draft to sign with a team, tweets Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle. Meanwhile, the Raiders are waiting to see what happens with Matt Schaub and are also interested in Josh Freeman.
- The Texans will try and trade Schaub before releasing him, writes Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. La Canfora adds that the Raiders are after a veteran quarterback and someone like Mark Sanchez could be a fit, if he becomes available.
Vikings Notes: Free Agents, Freeman, Draft
Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities reported this morning (via Twitter) that the Vikings will meet with representatives for multiple free agents tomorrow in Indianapolis, including quarterback Matt Cassel and defensive end Everson Griffen. However, speaking to local reporters today at the combine, GM Rick Spielman said he’ll actually meet with Cassel’s agent today, and added that the Vikings will meet with the reps for all their free agents this weekend (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports). Here are a few more updates from Spielman, via Pelissero (all links go to Twitter):
- The Vikings don’t anticipate using their franchise tag, which isn’t a big surprise — none of the team’s free agents are strong candidates to be franchised.
- Minnesota “definitely” wants and needs to add a young quarterback, according to Spielman. The team’s preferred setup would be to head into camp with a young QB, a veteran (perhaps Cassel), and Christian Ponder.
- Spielman didn’t close the door on re-signing Josh Freeman, though Pelissero would be “shocked” if the former Buccaneer returns to Minnesota.
- The Vikings would be interested in trading down from No. 8 overall, since they feel like there’s good depth at the quarterback position in this year’s draft class. According to Spielman, the team has eight or nine private workouts lined up with quarterbacks in advance of the draft.
- Minnesota will look to address its holes on defense in both free agency and the draft, says Spielman.
Vikings Notes: Mallett, Hoyer, Freeman, Verner
Ryan Mallett could present an interesting answer to the Vikings’ quarterback woes, writes ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling in a recent mailbag. Mallett, a third-round pick of the Patriots in 2011, has thrown all of four passes while acting as Tom Brady‘s backup, but is noted for his tremendous arm strength. New Vikings coach Mike Zimmer’s former team, the Bengals, were linked to Mallett leading up to the 2011 draft. New offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s former employer, the Browns, reportedly kicked the tires on acquiring Mallett before the 2013 season. Additionally, Patriots coach Bill Belichick has been down this road before, having turned former backup quarterback Matt Cassel (interestingly, now a Viking) into a Chiefs second-round pick before the 2009 season. Unlike Mallett however, Cassel had a season’s worth of experience, having lead the Patriots to a 10-5 record in 2008.
Some other Vikings tidbits from Goessling’s mailbag:
- Brian Hoyer is another quarterback who could be linked to the Vikings, due to his success with the Browns last season under Turner’s tutelage. However, the Vikings are likely to look for a younger option at the position to pair with Cassel.
- The relationship between the Vikings and quarterback Josh Freeman was contentious enough that it is doubtful he will return next season. Signed after his release from the Buccaneers, Freeman struggled mightily in his only start. His accuracy and footwork remained a problem throughout practices, and Freeman was also confused by his lack of opportunity.
- Goessling expects the Vikings to make a run at cornerback Alterraun Verner, who has experience with new Vikings defensive backs coach Jerry Gray (who previously served as Titans defensive coordinator). The Vikings are expected to have over $20MM in cap space, so they afford to make a big move in free agency.
AFC Notes: Sanchez, Freeman, Tate, Ward
Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez underwent minor knee surgery during the season, according to the New York Post’s Brian Costello (via Twitter). Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News follows up by reporting the operation was not performed on the same knee that required surgery following Sanchez’s rookie season. Mehta also notes that Sanchez has begun some light tossing as he begins rehab on his injured shoulder. This injury news may affect the future of Sanchez, who is widely expected to be released before his $2MM March roster bonus is due. While his career has been disappointing to date, Sanchez may appeal to several quarterback-needy teams. Paul Guiterrez of ESPN.com writes that Sanchez could be a top option for the Raiders, who may look to improve upon the performances exhibited by Terrelle Pryor and Matt McGloin. Additionally, Sanchez could offer a stop-gap solution to a team like the Browns, who will likely select a quarterback early in the draft.
- Guiterrez also notes several other potential quarterback options for the Raiders, including Josh Freeman, Matt Cassel, and Josh McCown. With Cassel still under contract with the Vikings, and McCown indicating his preference to re-sign with the Bears, Freeman may present the most likely option. While he struggled last season, he has both youth and experience with Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson on his side.
- Texans running back Ben Tate has experience in new Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s style of offense, tweets Evan Silva of Rotoworld. Silva also notes that Browns GM Mike Lombardi was a fan of Tate when he entered the league in 2010, as evidenced by a Lombardi article in the National Football Post.
- The Browns may look to use the franchise tag on safety T.J. Ward, not center Alex Mack, according to Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland.
NFC Notes: Eagles, Gross, Freeman, Vick
The Eagles could do worse than to follow the Seahawks’ model for building a successful franchise, writes Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider work exceptionally well together, with Carroll getting final say over personnel decisions. It’s a little different in Philly, however, as its not totally clear if it’s coach Chip Kelly or GM Howie Roseman who gets to make the last determination on roster matters.
- Panthers tackle Jordan Gross says that coach Ron Rivera “wants [him] back for sure” in 2014, writes ESPN.com’s David Newton. Gross plans to retire if he doesn’t return to the only team he’s been with since entering the NFL in 2003.
- The Players’ Association is close to revealing the results of its investigation into the Buccaneers‘ alleged leaking of Josh Freeman‘s medical records, DeMaurice Smith told reporters, including Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post (via Twitter). The club’s apparent sandbagging of Freeman made for a tumultuous season in Tampa Bay that ended with the firing of former coach Greg Schiano.
- Even if the Eagles make a contract offer to Michael Vick before March 11, he still plans on hitting the open market. “I want to see what’s out there for me. It’s only right,” Vick said today at radio row, according to McLane. “This is the first time and probably the only time I’ll ever have to do it in my career. So I just want to take advantage of it. I’m excited about it. It’s new and it’s kind of refreshing”. Any way you slice it, a return to the Eagles doesn’t seem likely for Vick.