Mike Ditka Talks Bears, Free Agency
In Mike Ditka‘s regular writing for the Chicago Sun-Times entitled “Four downs with Ditka,” the former Bears head coach and Hall of Fame tight end discussed free agency, Josh McCown, dementia and concussions. Chicago has been active in free agency with Lamarr Houston as the team’s key acquisition, along with signing lower-tiered players like Domenik Hixon, M.D. Jennings, Ryan Mundy, Dante Rosario and Willie Young. Key re-signings have included cornerback Charles Tillman linebacker D.J. Williams. Defensive end Julius Peppers was released due to his high cap number and eventually ended up with the Packers, and McCown found a starting job in Tampa Bay.
On how he likes the Bears’ moves in free agency so far:
“I do like what they have done so far. They realize they have to build on their weakness and that’s what they’ve done. They’ve addressed some needs on the defensive line and in the secondary. I think they understand that if they had any defense last year, they would have had a real good shot at winning the division.”
On if the Bears should have tried harder to re-sign McCown:
“You know, he’s a backup quarterback. It’s essential you have your starter in place. I think it came down to salary. When he saw he wasn’t going to get what he wanted, he went somewhere else. I think it’s a good move for Tampa, but also a good move by the Bears.”
On if he worries about memory loss:
“If you play football long enough, chances are you’re going to get hurt. People didn’t know about concussions long ago. They didn’t understand the ramifications or the long-term effects. They really didn’t know how serious it was.”
On if concussions could ruin football:
“You know, if you’re a parent with a young son, are you going to let him play football? No, it’s probably going to be basketball, baseball or something else. But not football. Give the kid a set of golf clubs. Basically, that’s what is happening right now.”
Florida Notes: Bucs, Thurmond, Dolphins
Let’s round up a few Friday afternoon items on Florida’s NFL teams….
- The Buccaneers aren’t in play for cornerback Walter Thurmond, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). We heard earlier today that Thurmond’s visit with the Redskins had been canceled as well, so it sounds as if he may be close to making a decision. He has reportedly visited the Jaguars, as well as the 49ers.
- The new deals with the Buccaneers for quarterback Josh McCown and offensive tackle Anthony Collins include plenty of incentives, as Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com details.
- Free agent right tackle Zach Strief declined an offer to visit the Dolphins, with no explanation given, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
- Within the same piece, Jackson says the Dolphins hope to get a deal done with offensive lineman Shelley Smith today, and that owner Stephen Ross never met with Jonathan Martin before the team sent him to the Niners, despite repeatedly saying he would.
Bears Notes: Peppers, Rosario, McCown
During the press conference introducing new Bears defenders Lamarr Houston and Ryan Mundy, general manager Phil Emery addressed a number of topics pertaining to his team’s offseason plans (many of which were tweeted out by the Chicago Tribune’s Rich Campbell). Emery talked about the defensive end position, saying the team was “going to be patient and see how it all works out.” The general manager also touched on the team’s former defensive end, Julius Peppers, who was cut by the Bears yesterday. Emery said that Peppers was not designated as a post-June 1st cut, which means he’ll count for $8.4MM in dead money this season but would be off the books the following year.
More from Campbell, Brad Briggs of the Chicago Tribune and Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times…
- Emery said there’s a good chance that tight end Dante Rosario would return, stating “We like Dante.” Rosario was released by the team earlier this week.
- For their number-two running back, Emery seeks a player who can specifically pass protect.
- In regards to cornerback, the general manager makes it sound like the team will address the position through the draft. “The draft has a lot more depth than what’s available in the free agent class,” Emery said.
- The team will also look towards the draft for a quarterback, but Campbell adds that they may also sign someone for the position. Former Bears’ quarterback Josh McCown signed with the Buccaneers earlier today.
- Talking about free agent cornerback Charles Tillman, Emery said “it’s an ongoing conversation.”
- The Bears brought safety Cody Grimm in for a workout, tweets Biggs.
- The Bears never presented McCown with an offer, and Biggs (via Twitter) says the team never would have matched the Buccaneers’ offer.
- According to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times (via Twitter), Mundy had a two-year offer from the Giants to stay put but chose to go to the Bears instead.
Buccaneers Sign Josh McCown
1:28pm: McCown’s deal also includes incentives that could push the deal to $15MM, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports 1. The deal is similar to the one Chad Henne struck with the Jaguars.
1:16pm: The Buccaneers have signed Josh McCown to a two-year deal, tweets agent Mike McCartney. McCown broke out last season when he got the opportunity to start in place of Jay Cutler. McCown will get $10MM over two years under the deal with $4.75MM coming this year and $5.25MM next year, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter).
We heard earlier today that the Bucs were pushing to land the veteran quarterback. While McCown may not have the full career resume of other free agent quarterbacks like Michael Vick, he had the best 2013 of any free agent signal caller. The 34-year-old also had visits scheduled with the Texans and Jets this week, but he’ll be skipping those flights. McCown previously said that he’d only leave the Bears for an opportunity to lead his own team and it appears that he got that with his deal in Tampa Bay.
“If I leave Chicago, if that’s the case, [a starting job] is the opportunity I’m looking for,” McCown said. “And once those opportunities come, what’s the coaching staff? What are the players there in place?…. To leave Chicago, it would be a situation where I’m looking to be able to compete to start or grow more as a player. The only way you can do that as a player is on the field.”
After a journeyman career, McCown found his footing in Chicago over the course of five starts and eight games in total. McCown, who was thrust into the starting role after Cutler was lost to injury, ended the 2013 season completing 66.8 of his passes for 1,829 yards with 13 touchdowns, one interception and a 109.0 passer rating, the third highest behind Peyton Manning and Nick Foles. Over the course of his career, McCown has spent time with the Cardinals, Lions, Raiders, Panthers, and Bears, making a total of 38 starts under center. In his five games starting for Chicago this year, McCown filled in admirably with the Bears going 3-2.
Bucs Pushing To Land McCown, Collins
The Buccaneers have pushed their afternoon press conference back to 4:30pm ET as the team attempts to increase its free agent haul. According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter), the Bucs are “pushing to add” quarterback Josh McCown and offensive tackle Anthony Collins, and have a good chance of landing both players.
Both McCown and Collins made Tampa Bay the first stop in their respective free agency tours, and while McCown at least has more visits scheduled, it’s possible that he won’t end up making them. With a new regime in place for the Bucs, the team is seeking a veteran free agent quarterback, and McCown had the best season of any of 2014’s free agents, even if the career achievements of Michael Vick and some others may surpass McCown’s career production.
As for Collins, he has appeared likely to end up with the Bucs since the free agent market for tackles began taking shape. Other teams prioritizing left tackles in free agency, such as the Dolphins, Ravens, Raiders, and Cardinals, have already reached agreements with players, less than 24 hours into free agency.
By the time the team’s presser begins this afternoon, Tampa Bay may also have news to announce regarding Darrelle Revis. The Bucs are expected to trade or release the star cornerback by 4:00pm ET today.
FA Rumors: McCown, Allen, Mack, Hatcher
Josh McCown‘s first free agent visit, which is already underway, is with the Buccaneers, and the free agent quarterback and also meetings scheduled with the Texans and Jets, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he doesn’t make it to all his scheduled visits, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). Both La Canfora and Mehta suggest that a deal with the Bucs looks very possible for McCown. Here’s more on free agency:
- Defensive end Jared Allen has narrowed down his free agent options, but may not sign all that quickly, says Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter). Meanwhile, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that the Broncos are interested in Allen, but perhaps not at his current asking price. There also may not be any other serious suitors involved at that price, says Florio.
- The transition tag hasn’t stopped teams from contacting center Alex Mack, according to Mike Garafolo of USA Today (via Twitter). However, Garafalo adds that the Browns free agent center has yet to set up any visits with clubs.
- Defensive end Antonio Smith would like to stay with the Texans, but has visits lined up with the Redskins, Titans, Rams, and Raiders, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
- Jason Hatcher‘s visit with the Seahawks is the first of five meetings he has scheduled, tweets Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.
- Offensive lineman Rich Ohrnberger is drawing interest as a potential starting guard or center, says Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).
- Free agent running back Anthony Dixon will visit with the Titans, says Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Raiders Rumors: QBs, Revis, Jenkins, Jennings
The Raiders are interested in quarterback Josh McCown, but the team is also waiting to see what the Texans will do with Matt Schaub, says Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter). Additionally, many believe the McCown sweepstakes could be down to the Bears and Buccaneers, according to Tafur. Here’s more on the Raiders:
- The Raiders are thought to be “strong players” in the Darrelle Revis sweepstakes, according to Tafur (via Twitter), who says the Browns are involved as well. Both clubs have a boatload of cap space available this offseason, which makes them logical destinations to either absorb Revis’ contract in a trade or outbid other teams should he reach free agency.
- Five teams are interested in free agent cornerback Mike Jenkins, who may be harder for the Raiders to re-sign than they expected, tweets Tafur.
- Rashad Jennings may make a decision today, and it appears the Raiders and Giants are his top two suitors, says Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (Twitter links).
- There’s nothing new on the Raiders front when it comes to Jared Veldheer and Lamarr Houston, tweets Tafur. It continues to look like Veldheer will land in Arizona, and Houston could sign elsewhere too.
FA Rumors: McCown, Pettigrew, Giants, Cards
Free agency rumors are pouring in, with less than five hours until the market officially opens. Let’s round them up….
- Quarterback Josh McCown expects to get a deal done quickly once free agency opens, and has one or two specific teams at the top of his list, as he told SiriusXM NFL Radio this morning (Twitter link).
- The Lions continue to talk to tight end Brandon Pettigrew, but a deal before the deadline appears unlikely, so he should hit the open market, says Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter).
- Centers Evan Dietrich-Smith and Brian De La Puente appear unlikely to land with the Giants, according to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
- Expect the Cardinals to pursue free agent linebacker Mike Neal, tweets Mike Garafolo of USA Today.
- Free agent tight end Jeff King is highly unlikely to return to the Cardinals, says Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona (via Twitter).
- Cornerback Antoine Cason is drawing some interest, but he’ll likely wait until after the top-tier corners sign to find a deal, tweets Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com.
- Emmanuel Sanders is among the names on the list of wide receiver targets for the Browns, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
- Since being released late last month by the Patriots, safety Steve Gregory has received some interest, and expects to sign after the bigger dominos fall, tweets Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.
- It looks like Bears cornerback and ace special-teamer Sherrick McManis will reach the open market today, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
Four Teams Eyeing Josh McCown
Appearing on ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike this morning, Josh McCown confirmed that his agent has talked to four teams about a potential fit for the free agent quarterback, writes Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. One of those four teams is believed to be the Bears, and McCown hasn’t ruled out the possibility of returning to Chicago.
“If I leave Chicago, if that’s the case, [a starting job] is the opportunity I’m looking for,” McCown said. “And once those opportunities come, what’s the coaching staff? What are the players there in place?…. To leave Chicago, it would be a situation where I’m looking to be able to compete to start or grow more as a player. The only way you can do that as a player is on the field.”
According to Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago (Twitter link), the Bears, Jets, Buccaneers, and Texans are believed to be the four teams to express genuine interest in McCown, who is one of the top signal-callers among this year’s class of free agents. The Jets look like they’re committed to giving Geno Smith a chance to keep the starting job, but may bring in a veteran to push him. Meanwhile, Mike Glennon may return to a backup role in Tampa Bay, and Matt Schaub will likely be released by Houston.
Pompei On Byrd, Graham, Joseph, McCown
Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report leads off his latest column by discussing Bills safety Jairus Byrd, who looks poised to reach the open market in the next few days. Many front office executives around the league view Byrd as the top difference-maker of this year’s free agent class, so the 27-year-old figures to draw plenty of interest, even if he won’t come cheap — Pompei suggests the “word on the street” is that Byrd will seek $9MM+ per year. Here’s more from the BR piece:
- The Seahawks are unlikely to pursue franchised Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, since the investment required in Graham could preclude deals for one or more of the team’s own young players.
- Others clubs around the league believe Buccaneers guard Davin Joseph could be available via trade, says Pompei. Joseph is a two-time Pro Bowler, but is owed $6MM in 2014 and turns 31 later this year.
- Josh McCown‘s market is “developing quite nicely,” according to Pompeti, who suggests that it’s starting to look like the free-agent-to-be won’t return to the Bears. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweeted something similar today, indicating that it looks like the signal-caller will hit the open market next week. The Buccaneers, Jets, and Vikings could be among McCown’s suitors, writes Pompei.
- Don’t expect Greg Schiano to join the Patriots‘ staff, despite the time he spent with Bill Belichick at last month’s combine. A source tells Pompei that New England doesn’t have a spot on the staff for the former Bucs head coach, and isn’t likely to create one.
- The 49ers front office “thinks very highly” of defensive line coach Jim Tomsula, according to Pompei, who suggests that if the reported tension between the club and Jim Harbaugh develops into anything real, Tomsula could be next in line for the head coaching job.