NFC Rumors: Ware, Beason, Mitchell
A look at the NFC..
- DeMarcus Ware has requested the Cowboys decide future before start of free agency signing period today, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN. Werder is unsure of the Cowboys’ response at this time.
- The Giants want to re-sign linebacker Jon Beason but Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears that he’s asking for more than Big Blue wants to pay. The Giants have 26 free agents and are alright with letting most of them go, but they’d like to keep the University of Miami product.
- If Donte Whitner goes elsewhere, the 49ers are looking at Panthers safety Mike Mitchell as a backup plan, a source tells Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Mitchell, 26, had a career high four interceptions to go along with eight pass breakups in 2013.
Redskins Rumors: Mitchell, Sproles, Maragos
The latest from D.C..
- There’s nothing imminent between the Redskins and Mike Mitchell, tweets Zac Boyer of the Washington Times. There are still several teams going after the Carolina safety.
- Mike Jones of the Washington Post (on Twitter) hears that Darren Sproles is a possibility for the Redskins but another source views it as a longshot. Albert Breer of NFL Network (Twitter link) says the Vikings are a landing spot for the running back.
- Seattle safety Chris Maragos could be a possibility for the Redskins, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Margos is known mostly for his special teams work.
AFC West Notes: Jennings, Avant, Mitchell
The latest from the AFC West:
- Raiders free-agent-to-be Rashad Jennings tells Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com that he’d “love to return” to Oakland, but acknowledges that a new deal with the team is no sure thing. “I never look for a promise from anyone,” Jennings said. “Every year, I want an opportunity. Nothing is a given in this league. All I want is a chance to play in a system that fits my style of play.”
- Blair also tweeted that the “Raiders remain a major player for” Jennings.
- Although he thought the Chiefs might have interest in free agent safety Mike Mitchell, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star tweets that there’s nothing doing on that front for now.
- Paylor tweeted that the Chiefs have interest in recently-released receiver Jason Avant. Avant played under Chiefs coach Andy Reid in Philadelphia.
- Looking to improve their defensive line, the Chargers will pursue nose tackle Earl Mitchell early in free agency, according to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
NFC Rumors: Giants, Saints, Vikings, Lions
A few Monday afternoon updates on NFC teams:
- The Giants have some level of interest in Brandon Pettigrew, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). With Jimmy Graham franchised and Dennis Pitta extended, Pettigrew may be the top unrestricted free agent tight end of the offseason.
- Assuming Charles Tillman doesn’t re-sign with the Bears, the Panthers look like a potential destination for the veteran defensive back, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
- The Saints brought safety Louis Delmas in for a visit after he was released by the Lions, but New Orleans doesn’t appear likely to sign Delmas, a source tells Mike Triplett of ESPN.com.
- Adding a veteran safety doesn’t look like a top priority for the Vikings, but it could be worth keeping an eye on Ryan Clark as a possible fit, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
- The Redskins have remained in contact with the reps for safety Mike Mitchell, says John Keim of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Keim adds that Kenny Britt and Andrew Hawkins are two potential WR targets to keep an eye on for the Redskins.
- Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press says the Lions will definitely sign a wide receiver and a safety in free agency, but it’s not clear yet which specific players the team will land (Twitter link via Pro Football Talk).
- As Lions GM Martin Mayhew suggested last month, while he’d like to have a new deal worked out with Ndamukong Suh by the time the 2014 league year begins tomorrow, he won’t consider it a setback if nothing is done, writes Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. Suh, who recently hired Jimmy Sexton of CAA to negotiate his next deal, has a cap number of $22MM+ for 2014 that the Lions would like to reduce.
NFC East Rumors: Ware, Redskins, Giants, Eagles
Free agency officially gets underway at 3:00pm central time tomorrow, and there could be resolution on DeMarcus Ware‘s situation in Dallas by then, according to ESPN.com’s Todd Archer. Archer reports that the Cowboys have had “consistent negotiations” with Ware on a reworked contract that would reduce his 2014 cap hit. If the two sides can reach a compromise, it sounds like the standout pass rusher will continue his career in Dallas. Otherwise, he may be cut by tomorrow afternoon.
Let’s round up a few more Monday rumors from out of the NFC East….
- Although the Redskins have inquired on a number of defensive backs, cornerback Antonio Cromartie and safety Louis Delmas don’t appear to be on the team’s radar, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post (Twitter links). However, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Washington’s reported interest in Jairus Byrd is for real, and adds that the Browns are showing genuine interest too.
- The Cowboys have expressed interest in free agent linebacker Wesley Woodyard, writes Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.
- While there’s no word yet on whether veteran center David Baas will accept a pay cut, the Giants have expressed interest in prospective free agent center Brian De La Puente, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
- According to various reports from CSNPhilly.com, PhillyMag.com, The Star-Ledger, and The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Eagles have expressed interest in defensive backs Corey Graham, Antoine Bethea, Nolan Carroll, and Mike Mitchell.
- Last night, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer identified a few potential fits for the Eagles as the team considers pass rushers, including Mike Neal, O’Brien Schofield, and Rob Jackson. McLane listed Lamarr Houston as a long shot for the Eagles, but the club has at least looked into the defensive end, according to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News (via Twitter),.
FA Rumors: Allen, Johnson, Mitchell, Jones
Jared Allen will not return to the Vikings, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Allen, 34, spent the past six seasons in Minnesota, after the team acquired him in 2008 from the Chiefs in exchange for a first-round-pick. La Canfora reports that Allen has narrowed his focus to teams that can contend next season, and that his list of preferred organizations contains less than five teams (via Twitter). The Raiders have been mentioned as a potential fit, while the Broncos would also seem to be an ideal match, as they are a veteran-laden squad with Super Bowl aspirations, and have a need at defensive end.
Allen’s play slipped last season, as he graded out as just the 34th-best defensive end in the league according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), although he did finish with 11.5 sacks. The Vikings seemed to have replaced him today by re-signing fellow end Everson Griffen to a five-year pact. The team had already extended defensive end Brian Robison in October.
Other notes from free agency:
- Although the Vikings could sign both Griffen and free agent defensive end Michael Johnson, sources expect Johnson to land elsewhere following the Griffen deal, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN. Johnson played under new Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer in Cincinnati.
- We noted earlier that the Redskins are expected to be “major players” for cornerback Aqib Talib, but it seems they also have interest in safety Mike Mitchell, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post. Mitchell, a second-round-pick by the Raiders in 2009, notched 66 tackles and four interceptions in his first season in Carolina last year.
- Defensive end Arthur Jones is a popular name on the free agent market, having already drawn interest from the Titans, Redskins, Giants, and Vikings, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Wilson also tweeted that the Packers are also intrigued by Jones. Jones, 27, is a versatile player who would fit in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense, as evidenced by the teams calling on him.
Free Agency Notes: Vikings, Johnson, Gerhart
With more than $40MM in cap room available, Vikings GM Rick Spielman and his staff will be busy adding talent to their roster once free agency officially opens at 3:00pm Tuesday. In addition to cornerback Alterraun Verner, Minnesota has also called to express interest in former Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson, tweets ESPN.com reporter Ben Goessling. Following up on that tweet was ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan, who tweeted that at least six teams should be involved for Johnson’s services.
More free agency notes from Minnesota and elsewhere around the league…
- Fullback Jerome Felton is pessimistic that the team will be able to re-sign running back Toby Gerhart, per Chris Tomasson of TwinCities.com.
- A league source told Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio that free agent quarterback Michael Vick is not likely to have interest in the Vikings or Jaguars after the re-signings of Matt Cassel and Chad Henne.
- The Bears and defensive lineman Michael Bennett have mutual interest, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Bennett is the older brother of Chicago tight end Martellus Bennett.
- Free agent safety Mike Mitchell has drawn interest from the Bears, Eagles, Broncos and Falcons, reports Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer.
- Recently released linebacker Jameel McClain has already visited the Bills and Giants, and is expected to visit the Vikings on Monday, said CSNBaltimore.com’s Bo Smolka.
- Due to the increased salary cap, Caplan tweets that it will be hard for the Rams to re-sign offensive lineman Rodger Saffold.
- Kevin Sherrington of The Dallas Morning News opines that the Cowboys should go ahead and release defensive cornerstone DeMarcus Ware, saving the team $7.8MM against the cap in 2014.
Panthers Notes: Draft, Free Agency, Wharton
It’s been a busy week for the Panthers. They put the franchise tag on defensive end Greg Hardy, they saw longtime stalwart at offensive tackle Jordan Gross retire, and there are now reports that Steve Smith is distrustful of GM Dave Gettleman. Naturally, Panthers fans have a lot of questions, and David Newton of ESPN.com addresses some of the most pertinent ones in a recent mailbag:
- Newton clears up some confusion regarding the team’s cap space. Despite earlier reports that the team was $28MM under the cap prior to franchising Hardy, Newton notes that the number was actually closer to $24MM. However, even if the Panthers cannot work out a long-term deal with Hardy, his $12.5MM cap hit will still give them enough room to retain some of their own free agents–like safety Mike Mitchell–and to pursue mid- to low-level free agents from other clubs.
- Newton believes Carolina will target an offensive tackle either in free agency or the draft–or perhaps both–but if they pursue a free agent, it will not be a high-priced one. And if the Panthers do, in fact, sign a tackle in free agency, that would make it much more likely that they would address their other top offensive priority–wide receiver–with their first round pick (No. 28 overall).
- Nonetheless, Newton notes that if the Panthers have to choose between wideout and offensive tackle with their first pick, they will likely go with the tackle, as the class of wide receivers in this year’s draft is very deep.
- Finally, Newton does not believe Travelle Wharton will be back with the club in 2014. He observes that Wharton was brought in last season because of injuries to younger players who are expected to be healthy this season, and he adds that cap issues will also play a part in precluding his return.