NFC Mailbags: Cowboys, Panthers, Lions, Rams
We took a look at ESPN.com’s AFC mailbags earlier this morning. Let’s now shift our focus to the NFC…
- Todd Archer took a look at the Cowboys free agents, with a focus on the big names. The writer believes Dez Bryant, Justin Durant, Doug Free and Sterling Moore will be back, but he isn’t optimistic about the return of Rolando McClain and Bruce Carter. The writer notes that he is doubtful about DeMarco Murray re-signing, but he adds that his opinion changes daily.
- David Newton believes the Panthers will mostly pursue the second-tier of free agents this offseason. He mentions general manager Dave Gettleman‘s assertion that the team wouldn’t be shopping at either the “Dollar Store” or “Tiffany’s.”
- Michael Rothstein isn’t under the impression that the Lions negotiations with Ndamukong Suh will hold up talks with free agent kicker Matt Prater. The writer notes that Prater is a priority for the organization, so the timing of the Suh talks are irrelevant.
- If the Rams choose to spend some money in free agency, Nick Wagoner says Chiefs offensive lineman Rodney Hudson could be a realistic target. In regards to the team’s own free agents, Wagoner says tight end Lance Kendricks could prove to be too pricy for the organization.
AFC Mailbags: Chiefs, Raiders, Colts, Jags
It’s Saturday morning, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s start off the day with some whispers from the AFC…
- Looking at the list of Chiefs free agents, Adam Teicher believes the team should prioritize re-signing linebacker Justin Houston, followed by guard Rodney Hudson. When it comes to linebacker Josh Mauga and defensive back Ron Parker, the writer says the two players are replaceable.
- Adrian Peterson would make some sense for the Raiders should be become a free agent, says Bill Williamson. Meanwhile, a reunion with linebacker Rolando McClain seems less reasonable to the writer.
- Mike Wells expects Vick Ballard, Dan Herron and Zurlon Tipton to be at Colts training camp, and he wouldn’t be surprised if the team re-signs Ahmad Bradshaw. However, the writer has little faith in the team bringing back embattled running back Trent Richardson.
- Michael DiRocco is of the opinion that it would be a waste of money for the Jaguars to pursue defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in free agency. After all, the team has “more pressing needs,” and the money the team would have to invest in the All-Pro defender could instead be used on multiple players.
Sunday Roundup: Broncos, Hudson, Bradford
Let’s have a look at some links from around the league on this slow news day:
- Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post believes that, even if Peyton Manning returns in 2015, the Broncos should still find ways to get meaningful snaps for Brock Osweiler.
- Mike Klis of the Denver Post provides a complete offseason breakdown for the Broncos, which includes the team’s contingency plans should Manning retire (of course, his retirement would create an additional $19MM of cap room that would allow Denver to surround Osweiler with talent). Klis says the Broncos’ top priority will be finding a right tackle, and he therefore puts Bryan Bulaga at the top of the team’s shopping list.
- Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star fleshes out his tweet from a few days ago with a deeper look into the decision the Chiefs will have to make regarding free agent center Rodney Hudson. Paylor also confirms that the Chiefs are expected to use the franchise tag on Justin Houston.
- Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that the Rams are in pretty good financial shape. Even though the team’s cap number currently sits just shy of $143MM, with the projected league salary cap to be somewhere between $140MM and $150MM, Thomas notes that St. Louis has plenty of options to reduce their cap number, including a restructure of Sam Bradford‘s contract or even an outright release of the former No. 1 overall pick.
- Tommy Lawlor of PhiladelphiaEagles.com offers his offseason blueprint for the Eagles, noting that even if the team hands out a big-money deal to Jeremy Maclin, it should still have enough room to shop for a couple of starters in free agency.
- Free agent cornerback Ike Taylor said that if there is any one person he would follow, it would be Dick LeBeau (Twitter link to SiriusXM NFl Radio). As our Zach Links wrote several days ago, Taylor is one of a number of long-time Steelers who could finish their playing days in a Titans uniform under LeBeau’s tutelage.
- Summarizing reports from various sources, Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk confirms that free agent tight end Jermaine Gresham is unlikely to remain with the Bengals.
West Notes: Parker, Chiefs, Wilson
Chiefs defensive back Ron Parker, who had a breakout season in which he contributed at both safety and cornerback, looks poised to hit the open market, and is expected to be seeking a four- or five-year deal worth $6MM annually, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. Though he only had one interception, Parker kept receivers from burning the Chiefs deep. All in all, KC went from the 25th ranked pass defense in 2013 to the second best in 2014. More from the AFC and NFC West..
- Meanwhile, Paylor (on Twitter) says that he can’t see Rodney Hudson getting less than $5MM per year. The Chiefs center, ranked third at his position last year by Pro Football Focus (subscription required), could be headed for upwards of $7MM per year.
- So much for playing hard-to-get. On Tuesday, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson reiterated his desire to stay in Seattle for the remainder of his career, as Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times writes. “To be honest with you, I haven’t really thought anything about it. You know, I obviously want to play in Seattle forever. That’s my goal, and I want to be with this organization. I love this organization. I love this city. I love these fans, and I love winning here,” Wilson said. Wilson was also asked about the idea of being the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, but he doesn’t “worry” about having that mantle.
- Dick LeBeau turned down an offer to become the associate head coach of the Cardinals because it was too far from his home in Cincinnati, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (on Twitter). The Titans, meanwhile, are only a four-hour car ride away in Nashville.
AFC Notes: Moats, Hudson, Edelman
Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats is set to be an unrestricted free agent, and Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says the former sixth-rounder could end up being a priority for Pittsburgh. For what it’s worth, the 26-year-old is hoping to return next season.
“I hope to be back, but it is a business,” Moats said. “I feel I have to do what’s best for me and my family. We will see what happens, but I definitely want to be back.”
Let’s take a look at some more notes from around the AFC…
- Chiefs center Rodney Hudson switched representation from Shoreline to Athletes First agents Joe Panos and Brian Murphy, tweets Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal. As the writer points out, the move may be in preparation of the 25-year-old’s potential free agency.
- Ben Volin of The Boston Globe tweets that Patriots wideout Julian Edelman will receive a $500K bonus for making the Super Bowl. The bonus would have kicked in had the 28-year-old compiled 1,057 yards, 70 receptions/seven scores, 80 receptions/13 wins or 80 receptions/Super Bowl appearance (via ESPNBoston.com’s Mike Reiss). Edelman finished the season with 92 receptions for 972 yards. Meanwhile, the Patriots finished with 12 wins.
- ‘DeflateGate’ is less than 24 hours old, but some within the NFL are already trying to distance themselves from the story, including Colts head coach Chuck Pagano. “Did not notice, and that’s something for the league to handle. It’s not my place to comment on it,” Pagano said (via Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com).
AFC Mailbags: Chiefs, Jaguars, Titans
We took a look at ESPN’s NFC mailbags earlier this morning. Let’s check out some notes from the AFC…
- Adam Teicher writes that it’s possible for the Chiefs to retain Tamba Hali and Justin Houston longterm, but they have to be clever with their cap manipulation.
- Teicher adds that the Chiefs will certainly look to re-sign upcoming free agents Houston, Allen Bailey, Rodney Hudson and Anthony Sherman, but they proved last offseason that they won’t overspend to keep their own players.
- Looking forward to free agency, Michael DiRocco says the Jaguars biggest needs are a “pass rusher, speed at linebacker, tight end and more depth along the offensive line.”
- It wasn’t that long ago that Vince Young was the Titans starting quarterback, and Paul Kuharsky believes that the team may be wary of a player like Jameis Winston. He later notes that the team needs an edge rusher “more than anything.”