Extra Points: Franchise Tag, Pitta, Eagles
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com compiled a list of players who could possibly be franchise-tagged, including three he labeled as “no-brainers” in Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, and Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes. The most intriguing note, however, is that the Browns might not franchise safety T.J. Ward because head coach Mike Pettine, formerly the defensive coordinator in Buffalo, may want Bills safety Jairus Byrd in Cleveland quarterbacking his defense. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com chimed in on Twitter with the same idea.
Other news from around the NFL:
- The Ravens face a Jimmy Graham-like dilemma with pass-catcher Dennis Pitta (whom Rosenthal thinks will get the tag), as far as whether he will receive the receiver or the tight end designation, writes Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. Cap expert Joel Corry noted within the article that a potential grievance would be messy, and that a long-term deal is the best option for all parties.
- Jimmy Kempski of Philly.com lists several free agents for the Eagles to consider, and among them is veteran linebacker Marcus Benard, who graded positively as a pass rusher, but came in just below average against the run, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
- The Steelers need to draft a tall wide receiver to play opposite Antonio Brown, argues Scott Brown of ESPN.com.
- Chargers GM Tom Telesco is looking for defensive players with the attitude and style of the Seahawks, or what he deems a “run-and-hit mentality,” according to Derek Togerson of NBC San Diego. The Chargers defense improved down the stretch, but the team will need to look to the draft and/or free agency to strengthen the unit even further.
Cap Notes: Bills, Giants, Browns, Texans
Bills safety Jairus Byrd will need to be tendered at $8.3MM if the team wants to keep him under the franchise tag for a second consecutive year, reports Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. Back-to-back franchise tags call for the affected player’s salary to be increased by 120%. Byrd, widely considered one of the best safeties in the NFL, was displeased with being franchise tagged last year, having hoped to work out a long-term extension. Recent extensions by comparable safeties include those of Eric Weddle, who was guaranteed $19MM by the Chargers, and Dashon Goldson, to whom the Buccaneers guaranteed $18MM (numbers courtesy of OverTheCap.com).
Some other cap notes from around the league:
- The Giants have about $13.7MM in cap space, estimates Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. However, they can clear approximately $14 million more by cutting players like Chris Snee, Mathias Kiwanuka, David Baas, Brandon Myers, and Corey Webster. Still, even with $27 million to work with, the Giants will might be strapped as the need to bolster a porous offensive line, add offensive play-makers to potentially replace Hakeem Nicks and David Wilson, and improve a defense that was among the league’s worst.
- Within the same article, Graziano suggests the Giants designate Baas as a post-June 1 cut, spreading the hit over two seasons, and enabling the team to sign someone like Alex Mack. Graziano also thinks the team should sign defensive tackle Linval Joseph to an extension before free agency starts.
- Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com does not believe the Browns will place the franchise tag on safety T.J. Ward, instead attempting to sign him to an extension, or waiting to match an offer from another team. This is contrast to the opinion of ESPN.com’s Tony Grossi, who noted he does think the Browns will tag Ward.
- The Texans will likely part ways with quarterback Matt Schaub and his $14.5MM 2014 cap number, reports Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com. Meanwhile, Johnathan Joseph, Owen Daniels, and Danieal Manning, all of whom have significant cap figures, appear to be safe.
AFC Notes: Sanchez, Freeman, Tate, Ward
Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez underwent minor knee surgery during the season, according to the New York Post’s Brian Costello (via Twitter). Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News follows up by reporting the operation was not performed on the same knee that required surgery following Sanchez’s rookie season. Mehta also notes that Sanchez has begun some light tossing as he begins rehab on his injured shoulder. This injury news may affect the future of Sanchez, who is widely expected to be released before his $2MM March roster bonus is due. While his career has been disappointing to date, Sanchez may appeal to several quarterback-needy teams. Paul Guiterrez of ESPN.com writes that Sanchez could be a top option for the Raiders, who may look to improve upon the performances exhibited by Terrelle Pryor and Matt McGloin. Additionally, Sanchez could offer a stop-gap solution to a team like the Browns, who will likely select a quarterback early in the draft.
- Guiterrez also notes several other potential quarterback options for the Raiders, including Josh Freeman, Matt Cassel, and Josh McCown. With Cassel still under contract with the Vikings, and McCown indicating his preference to re-sign with the Bears, Freeman may present the most likely option. While he struggled last season, he has both youth and experience with Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson on his side.
- Texans running back Ben Tate has experience in new Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s style of offense, tweets Evan Silva of Rotoworld. Silva also notes that Browns GM Mike Lombardi was a fan of Tate when he entered the league in 2010, as evidenced by a Lombardi article in the National Football Post.
- The Browns may look to use the franchise tag on safety T.J. Ward, not center Alex Mack, according to Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland.
Browns Notes: Pettine, Hoyer, Mack, Ward
It took quite a while for the Browns to make their hire, but they finally got their man in Mike Pettine earlier today. Meanwhile, Pettine told Joe Buscaglia of WGR550 (Twitter links) after his introductory presser that it almost didn’t happen. As the hiring process lingered on, the former Bills defensive coordinator worried that it wasn’t fair to keep Buffalo waiting. “That was starting to wear on me these last couple of days. I talked to [Bills head coach Doug Marrone] and it was getting to the point where I’d say, ‘Hey, if this goes on much longer I need to pull out because it’s just not fair to the Bills.‘” Here’s a look at the highlights from Pettine’s first press conference and more from Cleveland..
- Pettine says that the perception matches the reality: the club is behind the eight-ball because he was hired so late, tweets Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal. The new head coach is already getting to work on assembling his staff.
- The new man in charge offered a strong endorsement of quarterback Brian Hoyer, Ulrich tweets, calling him a “winner” and describing his intangibles as “off the charts.” However, he did concede that even though the offense has talent, there are “some holes” to address (link).
- The Browns submitted a request to Buffalo to interview linebacker coach Jim O’Neil for their defensive coordinator opening, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. O’Neil and Pettine also worked together with Jets. It was reported earlier today that Pettine would seek to bring O’Neil along with him to the Browns.
- Pettine said potential free agents center Alex Mack and safety T.J. Ward are special players he’d love to have back, Ulrich tweets.
- Browns CEO Joe Banner said team will do everything it can to support troubled wide receiver Davone Bess but wouldn’t comment further, according to Ulrich (via Twitter).
- Banner and owner Jimmy Haslam revealed that Pettine was on their list of defensive coordinator candidates last year, Ulrich tweets.