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T.J. Ward

West Notes: F-Jax, Catanzaro, Ward, Injuries

September 4th, 2015 at 8:16am CST by Luke Adams

It should be a busy day around the NFL, since many teams won’t wait until Saturday’s deadline to make their roster cuts down to 53 players. While we wait for clubs to announce roster moves, let’s check in on a few items from out of the league’s two West divisions….

  • Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Fred Jackson‘s visit to Seattle went well, but wouldn’t commit to anything definitive with that situation, leading Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter links) to speculate that the club could be waiting until after Week 1 to sign the veteran running back. Veterans signed before Week 1 have their salaries fully guaranteed when the season gets underway, which isn’t the case for players signed later.
  • Following a pair of missed extra points by Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro, head coach Bruce Arians gave him a vote of confidence, indicating that Catanzaro’s job isn’t in jeopardy, as Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com notes: “We’re not going to look for a kicker. He’s our guy, so [we’re] glad it’s a preseason game and he can learn from it.”
  • Broncos safety T.J. Ward was caught off guard for his one-game suspension for a minor legal run-in that happened over a year ago, telling Troy Renck of the Denver Post, “I just don’t feel the whole process is very fair.” Asked if there’s any more he can do to get the penalty overturned, Ward replied, “I’m going to try, but my last name’s not Brady.” Of course, since the suspension was officially announced, the appeal process has already run its course.
  • A pair of NFC West players suffered apparent major injuries during Thursday night action. The Seahawks confirmed (via Twitter) that cornerback Mohammed Seisay suffered a dislocated shoulder, while Arians said that Cardinals tight end Gerald Christian has an MCL injury and may have an ACL issue as well, adding that “he’s probably out” (Twitter link via Weinfuss).

Broncos’ T.J. Ward Suspended One Game

September 3rd, 2015 at 2:50pm CST by Luke Adams

Broncos safety T.J. Ward has been suspended for the first game of the 2015 season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, reports Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter links). Ward will miss the Broncos’ Week 1 game against the Ravens before returning two weeks from tonight to play the Chiefs.

As Garafolo notes, Ward’s personal conduct violation stems from an incident that took place at a strip club shortly after the safety signed with the Broncos in 2014. Ward was accused of throwing a glass mug at a bartender after she told him outside drinks were not allowed in the Denver club. Misdemeanor charges against the 28-year-old were dropped last August when Ward agreed to perform four hours of community service.

Ward, who came to Denver after spending four years with the Browns, earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl nod last season, recording 76 tackles, two interceptions, and two sacks for the Broncos. His stout play contributed to Denver ranking fifth overall in passing defense DVOA last season, per Football Outsiders.

In Ward’s absence, David Bruton figures to be the next man up at strong safety.

Notable Contracts Guaranteed Today

March 14th, 2015 at 4:25pm CST by Rob DiRe

On today, the fifth day of the league year, a number of contracts have become fully or partially guaranteed.

Below are a number of notable contracts that have money guaranteed as of today, according to Joel Corry of CBS Sports. All links are via Twitter.

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Hughlett, Chargers

October 18th, 2014 at 2:03pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Broncos were expected to be one of the best teams in the NFL coming into the season after winning the AFC in 2013. They brought back most key components of a record-breaking offense, but the difference this year is on the defensive side of the ball, writes ESPN Insider Aaron Schatz.

The newfound strength of the defense has been with a few offseason additions. The team signed Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward, and DeMarcus Ware, and selected Bradley Roby in the first round of the NFL Draft. The defense has been far improved with these new players.

Here are some other words from around the AFC West:

  • The Broncos have a big list of impending free agents, leading to questions about how long their window to win a championship will be open. Mike Klis of the Denver Post is not overly worried, noting that a number of the free agents are restricted and that the teams will be able to lock up the big pieces like Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas.
  • The Chiefs tried out long snapper Charley Hughlett yesterday, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
  • The Chargers are favored to beat the Chiefs this weekend, and part of the reason they have been able to succeed is the improvements they made on defense. Two additions in the secondary are big reason for that. First-round pick Jason Verrett has been phenomenal, and former Chief Brandon Flowers has had a career resurgence in San Diego, as Joel Thorman and John Gennaro noted in a Q&A on ArrowPride.com. “The biggest difference between last year’s team and this year’s Chargers is that the secondary went from atrocious to above-average with the additions of Brandon Flowers and Verrett,” said Gennaro.

Cap Work Remaining For Broncos

July 5th, 2014 at 8:59am CST by Matt Feminis

Until rosters are cut down to 53 players, teams are required to be under the $133MM salary cap with their top 51 salaries. In the wake of an aggressive offseason which included signing big-ticket free agents Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward, DeMarcus Ware and Emmanuel Sanders, the Broncos’ top 51 costs $132MM, meaning John Elway and Co. have some bookkeeping to do between now and the end of training camp, explains ESPN’s Jeff Legwold.

Key points:

  • The team is trying to lock up free agents-to-be Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas long-term.
  • Including rollover, the team has about $4.6MM of workable cap space.
  • “Quarterback Peyton Manning has the team’s highest cap figure, at $17.5 million and the Broncos have the biggest cap gap of any position between starter and backup with No. 2 Brock Osweiler, still on his rookie deal, coming in at $959,094 against the cap.”
  • The team has seven tight ends on the roster, five of which — including Thomas, Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen — are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents in 2015.
  • “Dead money” hits include Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie ($2.1MM), Chris Kuper ($1.83MM) and Willis McGahee ($500k).
  • Terrance Knighton‘s representatives were seeking a renegotiation of his contract which calls for him to make $2.75MM in 2014 before the big defensive lineman hits free agency, but the team did not acquiesce.
  • Kicker Matt Prater and punter Britton Colquitt will cost a combined $7.4MM against the cap this season.

Extra Points: MJD, Britt, Smith, Jets

March 20th, 2014 at 10:00pm CST by Zachary Links

Maurice Jones-Drew is currently looking for about $3.5MM per year on his next deal, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Even though the former Jaguars star has accomplished great things throughout his career, finding big money as an older tailback in this market could prove to be tough. More from around the NFL..

  • Don’t bank on the Cowboys signing Jared Allen, says Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter links). Breer’s understanding is that it was an either/or proposition when it came to Allen and Henry Melton, whom Dallas signed earlier this week. That could change if Allen’s asking price comes down, however.
  • The Bills and Panthers have expressed interest in wide receiver Kenny Britt and visits may be taking place with those teams, agent Pat Dye Jr. tells Alex Marvez of FOX Sports 1 (via Twitter). Dye says a short-term deal for Britt, who has already checked in with the Redskins, Rams, and Patriots, is likely.
  • On SNY (via Manish Mehta of the Daily News on Twitter), Jets coach Rex Ryan gave Geno Smith quite the endorsement. “Make no mistake about it: Geno Smith is going to be hard to beat out. I don’t care who we add,” Ryan said.
  • The Jets have expressed a desire to re-sign guard Vlad Ducasse, but Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (on Twitter) sees him signing with the Bengals or Vikings.
  • In addition to the Jets, the Panthers and Raiders have also called the Eagles about DeSean Jackson, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. There seems to be a healthy amount of interest in the 27-year-old.
  • Former Browns All-Pro safety T.J. Ward indicated via Twitter that Cleveland’s new brass really didn’t want him back. “Quotes get misunderstood all the time,” the new member of the Broncos wrote. “Just FYI. Cleveland offered me nothing. Boom! There u have it. #GoBroncos.”
  • The Panthers are working out receivers Kevin Cone, Lestar Jean, and C.J. Akins, tweets Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer. Aikins spent time with the Rams in 2013.
  • Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey told SiriusXM NFL Radio (on Twitter) that he’s not done shopping just yet. “Free agency never closes. We’re always looking to add more players.“

Broncos Expected To Sign Emmanuel Sanders

March 16th, 2014 at 10:48am CST by Peter Sowards

SUNDAY, 10:48am: The Broncos intend to proceed with the Sanders deal, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Mike Klis of the Denver Post tweeted that Sanders will take his physical at Dove Valley this morning and is expected to sign a three-year deal.

SUNDAY, 9:08am: In an interesting twist to the Sanders saga, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport writes that Sanders’ agent, Steve Weinberg, had originally accepted a deal with the Chiefs on his client’s behalf. However, Weinberg then shopped Kansas City’s offer to Tampa Bay without telling the Buccaneers that the offer had already been accepted. Ultimately, of course, Sanders agreed to sign with Denver.

Weinberg declined to comment, but there will undoubtedly be more fallout from this development in the coming days. For instance, Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star wonders (via Twitter) who the Chiefs might have missed out on because they thought they had Sanders locked up. Paylor notes that Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell both signed with New England on Saturday.

SATURDAY, 8:34pm: A source has confirmed to FOX Sports 1 that the Broncos agreed to contract terms with Sanders, Alex Marvez reports (via Twitter).

SATURDAY, 8:18pm: After losing Eric Decker to the Jets in free agency, the Broncos are expected to fill the void by signing former Steelers receiver Emmanuel Sanders, league sources tell ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The ESPN article notes that Sanders is looking for a contract similar to the one Golden Tate signed with the Lions (five years, $31.5MM, $13.25MM guaranteed).

Denver has been the biggest newsmaker in free agency thus far, with high-profile signings of Aqib Talib, DeMarcus Ware and T.J. Ward. Now it seems that general manager John Elway is setting his sights on the offense, and Sanders brings a skill set that figures to be well-utilized by Peyton Manning. The fourth-year receiver from Southern Methodist set career highs in receptions (67), yards (740) and touchdowns (six) in 2013 with the Steelers, starting 11 games.

Sanders’ name had been associated with a multitude of teams since free agency began. Schefter reported that the 49ers were to host Sanders today after being hosted by the Chiefs yesterday. Before that, he’d been linked to or visited with the Jets, Jaguars, Buccaneers, Ravens and Browns.

The Broncos appear to have just under $12MM in cap room before the Sanders signing, according to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap.

Contract Details: McCluster, Bradshaw, Cassell

March 12th, 2014 at 6:21pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest contract details from around the NFL..

  • Dexter McCluster‘s three-year deal with the Titans gets him $7.35MM guaranteed with a $3MM bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. While he can earn $12MM over those three years through incentives, it’s valued closer to $9MM, tweets Jim Wyatt of The Tennesseean. The base salaries are as follows: $1MM, $2.35MM, and $2.275MM (link).
  • Ahmad Bradshaw‘s deal with the Colts is a minimum salary benefit contract, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. The tailback gets an $855K base which counts as $695K against cap. The deal also has an injury split.
  • Jacoby Jones‘ four-year deal with the Ravens has a base value of $12MM and a max value of $14MM, tweets Wilson. The wide receiver has a $2MM incentive clause for catches and $4.5MM guaranteed.
  • Matt Cassel gets a $3MM roster bonus Monday and a $2.65M base in 2014 in his new two-year, $10.5MM pact with the Vikings, tweets Pelissero. In 2015, it’s a $4.15MM base with a $500K roster bonus due in March. There’s also $100K without the bonus each year. He also has an injury waiver.
  • In Linval Joseph‘s five-year, $31.25MM deal with the Vikings, he gets $12.5MM guaranteed with a $3MM signing bonus, tweets Wilson.
  • Jon Asamoah‘s deal with the Falcons is a five-year, $22.5MM deal with $8MM guaranteed, Pelissero tweets. The total includes $500K in per-game roster bonuses each year.
  • T.J. Ward‘s deal with the Broncos is a four-year, $22.5MM pact with $7MM due in the first year, tweets Pelissero. Another $6.5MM is guaranteed for injury only in 2015.
  • DeMarcus Ware‘s three-year, $30MM deal with the Broncos is front-loaded, with $13MM due in 2014 and $23M after 2015, tweets Joel Corry of CBSSports. Ware’s cap numbers are: $9.6MM, $11.6MM and $8.6MM for 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively, adds Corry (via Twitter).
  • Austin Howard‘s five-year, $30MM deal with the Raiders has $11.8MM guaranteed, tweets Wilson. The salaries are as follows: $2.9MM, $3.9MM, $4.4MM, $4.9MM, and $5.4MM.

Broncos To Sign T.J. Ward

March 11th, 2014 at 5:42pm CST by Zachary Links

5:42pm: Details of the Ward contract are now becoming more clear, with Mike Klis of the Denver Post reporting that the four-year contract will be worth $23.MM with $14MM in guaranteed money (via Twitter).

4:19pm: The Broncos are set to sign former Browns safety T.J. Ward, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN (on Twitter). He’ll get an average of $5.5MM per year, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Northeast Ohio News Group (on Twitter).

Ward was displaced in Cleveland when the Browns agreed to sign fellow free agent Donte Whitner. He was also linked to the Jets and Lions but the Broncos have been in the thick of it all along.

Browns To Sign Donte Whitner

March 11th, 2014 at 3:10pm CST by Luke Adams

3:10pm: The Browns have reached an agreement on a four-year, $28MM deal with Whitner, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

2:44pm: The Browns’ agreement with Whitner is expected to be worth in the neighborhood of $7MM annually over four years, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). The deal would make Whitner one of the league’s top 10 highest-paid safeties and sounds like it’d be similar to contracts signed by Kam Chancellor and Reshad Jones.

12:51pm: In addition to being the favorites to land free agent linebacker Karlos Dansby, the Browns are also in pole position for safety Donte Whitner, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Northeast Ohio Media Group. Cabot reports that Whitner is expected to ink a deal with the Browns today when free agency opens, replacing T.J. Ward, who figures to sign elsewhere.

Coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons, Whitner was one of the league’s best safeties in pass coverage last season, limiting yards after the catch and grabbing a pair of interceptions. At age 28, the longtime Bill and 49ers should have plenty of productive years left in him, and represents the best possible free agent replacement if the Browns had to lose Ward.

As we noted yesterday, the Browns, Bears, and Jets were in the mix for Whitner, and it was the Browns that sounded the most serious about landing the Cleveland native. Albert Breer of the NFL Network reported earlier today that there was a lot of talk about Whitner joining new Browns head coach Mike Pettine in Cleveland.

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