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Mason Foster

Contract Details: Sanu, Lane, Harris, Jones

March 10th, 2016 at 5:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are some of the latest details on recently agreed-upon or signed contracts from around the NFL.

  • Mohamed Sanu, WR (Falcons): Five years, $32.5MM. $14MM guaranteed. $7MM signing bonus. Base salaries of $1MM, $6MM, $6MM, $6MM, $6.5MM. (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, on Twitter). Can earn additional $1.25MM based on receptions, per ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure (on Twitter).
  • Jeremy Lane, CB (Seahawks): Four years, $23MM. $11MM guaranteed. $5MM signing bonus. Base salaries of $2MM, $4MM, $6MM, $6MM (Twitter link via Wilson). $7MM fully guaranteed. Lane’s $4MM salary in 2017 guaranteed in February 2017, per Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter).
  • Mike Harris, OL (Vikings): One year, $2MM. $500K of $1.9MM base salary fully guaranteed. $100K workout bonus. (via Wilson, on Twitter). Can earn $1.05MM in incentives, per Pelissero (on Twitter).
  • Mason Foster, ILB (Washington): Two years, $2.5MM. $350K signing bonus. Can earn $1.6MM in playing-time incentives, per Pelissero (on Twitter).
  • Adam Jones, CB (Bengals): Three years, $24MM. $16MM in 2016-17, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (on Twitter).
  • Kellen Clemens, QB (Chargers): One year, $1.065MM. $80K roster bonus, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (on Twitter).

Free Agent Rumors: Massie, Mack, Vikings

March 9th, 2016 at 12:54pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest free agent rumors:

  • Cardinals free agent tackle Bobby Massie is deciding between three teams and he could remain in Arizona, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report tweets.
  • Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) says that Alex Mack got a quality deal from the Falcons because multiple teams including the Browns and the Chargers were “in strong” for his services. Meanwhile, Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego (on Twitter) says that even though the Chargers reached out, they did not “develop into a major contender.”
  • The Vikings are looking at free agent wide receiver Andre Holmes, Ben Goessling of ESPN.com tweets. Holmes, who was with Minnesota as a UDFA in 2011, would give Minnesota a big target.
  • The Eagles never had formal contract discussions with Walter Thurmond prior to Monday, Geoff Mosher of 97.5 The Fanatic tweets. Thurmond is now on the open market and, one way or another, the Eagles need to add depth at the cornerback position.
  • Keenan Robinson appears to have posted a farewell message to Washington fans on Instagram. After re-signing Mason Foster, it seems like Washington will be moving on from their other free agent inside linebacker.

Washington To Re-Sign Mason Foster

March 9th, 2016 at 9:27am CST by Zachary Links

9:27am: It’s a two-year deal for Foster and Washington, per ESPN’s John Keim.

8:36am: Linebacker Mason Foster has agreed to return to Washington, a source tells Mike Jones of The Washington Post (on Twitter). Washington had a pair of free agent inside linebackers this offseason between Foster and Keenan Robinson, so the team wanted to retain at least one of those two players. Foster performed better than Robinson in 2015, but he’s not likely to get a starting job in 2016. Mason Foster (vertical)

Foster, 27, played mainly in a reserve role last season, appearing in 13 games. In total, he racked up 34 tackles, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Even though he was not a starter, Washington felt that it was important to retain him this week.

The linebacker appeared in 10 games for the Buccaneers in 2014 and started all of them. In that time, he recorded 62 total tackles and three pass deflections. The former third-round pick also impressed with 105 tackles in 2012, and 92 tackles – to go along with three interceptions and two sacks – in 2013. However, after signing with the Bears in March 2015, he failed to earn a spot on Chicago’s regular season roster, leading him to a September deal with Washington.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Washington News: Johnson, Galette, Foster

March 7th, 2016 at 12:38pm CST by Zachary Links

Washington released safety Jeron Johnson, a source tells John Keim of ESPN.com. After signing a two-year deal with Washington last offseason, Johnson served as a backup and a special teamer all season. The move, which does not come as a huge surprise, saves Washington $1MM in cap space.

Here’s the very latest from D.C.:

  • Free agent linebacker Junior Galette will be signing with agent Drew Rosenhaus, a source tells Keim. Galette recently fired agent Peter Schaffer. Washington wants to re-sign Galette and have the right of first refusal. Galette reportedly wants a one-year, “pillow” contract, similar to the deal he signed with Washington last season after being cut by the Saints. The club, however, has been countering with multi-year proposals featuring incentives. Schaffer was encouraging the linebacker to go with a multi-year deal, but the 27-year-old refused.
  • Washington is working hard to re-sign linebacker Mason Foster, Keim tweets. Foster, 27, played mainly in a reserve role last season, appearing in 13 games. In total, he racked up 34 tackles, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
  • Washington is still in talks to re-sign backup quarterback Colt McCoy, Mike Jones of The Washington Post tweets. Late last month, head coach Jay Gruden indicated that he wanted to keep McCoy.

East Notes: JPP, Giants, Washington, Jets

October 3rd, 2015 at 3:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here is some news coming out of the Eastern divisions …

  • A recent report stating Jason Pierre-Paul will re-join the Giants in two weeks came as news to Tom Coughlin, according to James Kratch of NJ.com. “I don’t know anything about that,” Coughlin told media at a charity function. This wouldn’t be the first time the New York staff has been in the dark on this unique saga that’s continued to unearth new layers.
  • Exorbitantly paid kick returner Dwayne Harris looks like the Giants’ next man up at receiver now that Victor Cruz‘s timetable has been further delayed and Preston Parker being cut, per Justin Tasch of the New York Daily News. Offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo also floated the idea out of Shane Vereen being used as a receiver, an idea that may be more efficient than using Harris (one target this season). The former Cowboys return man has 33 career catches; Vereen’s made 119 since being drafted in 2011.
  • Even if he’s not burdened by it, Ryan Kerrigan wants to show the Washington organization made the right investment in signing him to a five-year, $57.5MM deal this offseason, notes ESPN.com’s John Keim. “That’s a lot of personal pride. I got that big contract and I want to show I’m worthy of it. Of course you want to justify it, but it’s not something like I wake up every day and say I’ve got to [justify] it,” Kerrigan said. With a half-sack through three games, Kerrigan’s a bit behind the 13.5-sack pace he set a year ago.
  • The current plan in Washington is to use recently signed veteran Mason Foster on special teams behind the team’s current third inside linebacker, undrafted rookie Terrance Plummer, while Perry Riley is injured, according to Tarik El-Bashir of CSNMidAtlantic.com.
  • Brandon Marshall‘s rejuvenated start with the Jets doesn’t mean as much for his long-term prospects unless one of Gang Green’s complementary targets can become consistent, Jets wide receivers coach Karl Dorrell told Seth Walder of the New York Daily News. “Someone has to step up, because if we don’t have guys that step up, they’ll find a way to take away Brandon Marshall with getting him in double coverage,” Dorrell said. “He’s effectively able to get open in some of those situations, but not all the time.” Marshall’s 23 receptions for 272 yards are well ahead of his career-worst pace established last season.

NFC Notes: Bears, Falcons, Foster

October 2nd, 2015 at 9:03am CST by Luke Adams

While some observers may view the Bears‘ recent moves as a sign that the team is rebuilding and looking ahead to 2016, a few players think the shake-up could have a positive effect on this year’s team, as Gene Chamberlain of The Associated Press writes. Veteran safety Antrel Rolle suggested the message sent would be beneficial to younger players, while tight end Martellus Bennett expressed faith in the front office.

“I think the organization is doing every single thing possible to make the team better,” Bennett said. “I mean, there’s a lot of hiccups right now, but that’s what happens when there’s a lot of change happening.”

Here’s more from across the NFC:

  • The Falcons brought in a tight end for an audition this week, per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com, who tweets that ex-Giant Adrien Robinson came in for a workout with Atlanta. A fourth-round pick in 2012, Robinson caught just five balls during his time in New York, with all of those receptions coming last season.
  • Among this year’s first-team head coaches, former Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has stood out as a potential difference-maker. Peter King of TheMMQB.com examines what sort of impact Quinn has had so far on the 3-0 Falcons.
  • After signing with Washington this week, veteran linebacker Mason Foster is expected to contribute immediately in D.C., according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post. Foster’s assertion that he “loves” playing special teams suggests that even if he doesn’t see many defensive snaps, his new team could find other ways to use him.

Washington Signs Mason Foster, Places Shawn Lauvao On IR

September 29th, 2015 at 3:18pm CST by Luke Adams

Washington has announced a series of roster moves, confirming today (via Twitter) that they’ve added a pair of new players to the 53-man roster, signing free agent linebacker Mason Foster and promoting cornerback Quinton Dunbar from the practice squad.

In order to make room for the incoming additions, Washington has placed two players on the injured reserve list. Starting left guard Shawn Lauvao and cornerback Justin Rogers have both landed on IR. Rogers has been battling foot problems, while Lauvao suffered an ankle injury during the club’s Week 3 game against the Giants.

Of the two new players on Washington’s 53-man squad, Foster is the more interesting name. The 26-year-old appeared in 10 games for the Buccaneers last season and started all of them. In that time, he recorded 62 total tackles and three pass deflections. The former third-round pick also impressed with 105 tackles in 2012, and 92 tackles – to go along with three interceptions and two sacks – in 2013. However, after signing with the Bears in March, he failed to earn a spot on Chicago’s regular season roster.

As for the two players heading to IR, Lauvao will be the more noteworthy loss for Washington, since he was a key piece of an offensive line that looked very effective in the running game during the season’s first couple games. Josh LeRibeus is expected to replace Lauvao going forward, though he’s dealing with an injury of his own. Tom Compton and Spencer Long could also be in the mix.

East Notes: RGIII, Patriots, Washington

September 29th, 2015 at 12:12pm CST by Luke Adams

Robert Griffin III hasn’t dressed for any of Washington‘s first three regular season games, but his presence “continues to loom over the franchise, writes Mike Jones of the Washington Post. Griffin still has support within the organization, and – according to Jones – league insiders have speculated that the Washington brass could eventually force Jay Gruden to go back to RGIII if Kirk Cousins falters, even though Colt McCoy is technically the backup.

Griffin has a fifth-year option on his contract for 2016 that is currently guaranteed for injury only, so playing him would put the team at risk — if the fourth-year quarterback suffered a serious injury, the club would be on the hook for $16MM+ in ’16. Still, Jones can’t help but wonder if the former second overall pick will get one last shot in D.C.

Here’s more from across the NFL’s two East divisions:

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Bears Release Mason Foster

September 5th, 2015 at 7:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

Mason Foster signed with the Bears less than six months ago, but the fifth-year linebacker won’t officially suit up for them this season.

As part of paring their roster down to 53 players, the Bears released Foster, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

A four-year starter at middle linebacker with the Buccaneers, Foster could not beat out Shea McClellin or Christian Jones for one of Chicago’s inside linebacker jobs.

Jon Bostic and undrafted free agent John Timu round out the team’s inside-linebacking unit. The 26-year-old Foster, who signed a one-year deal in March, is free to sign with any team.

Extra Points: Connolly, Foster, Titans

March 30th, 2015 at 10:41pm CST by Zachary Links

Within a span of a week earlier this month, four prominent NFL players walked away from lucrative salaries. There are split opinions on whether this is the start of a trend, as Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes. “It’s the flavor of the month. It is a hot topic,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of Patrick Willis, Jake Locker, Jason Worilds, and Chris Borland retiring. “I imagine it’s been going on since the beginning of time, guys choosing to walk away from the game seemingly at an inopportune time when they had youth and health.”

  • The Bucs are bringing former Patriots guard Dan Connolly for a visit tomorrow, Ross Jones of FOX Sports tweets. On Sunday, Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com reported that Connolly wasn’t receiving a ton of interest from other clubs, leaving him in a holding pattern with New England. At one point, the 32-year-old was receiving interest from the Seahawks and Bears as a center and from the Dolphins as a guard. The Bucs reportedly saw Connolly as a guard as well.
  • The Bears‘ contract for linebacker Mason Foster is a one-year, minimum salary deal, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter). The pact carries a $745K base with an $80K signing bonus, good for a total value of $825K.
  • Titans offensive lineman Chance Warmack told Alex Marvez of SiriusXM (on Twitter) that he believes in both quarterback Zach Mettenberger and the direction that the Titans’ front office is going in.
  • Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com broke down the specifics on Kenny Britt‘s two-year deal with the Rams. While the reported total value was $14MM, it’s really more like a $9.15MM pact when considering that he’d have to accomplish feats in the NFL that he never has before in order to achieve the total value.
  • Washington‘s pursuit of Marcus Mariota doesn’t make a great deal of sense given the team’s recent decisions, Zac Boyer of The Washington Times writes.
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