Terrence Cody - Pro Football Rumors

AFC North Rumors: Browns, Ravens, Smith

March 26th, 2014 at 8:24pm CST by Zachary Links

New Browns coach Mike Pettine is eager to get more sacks out of linebackers Barkevious Mingo and Paul Kruger, writes Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer. “We really liked Barkevious coming out of LSU a year ago, so he’s a guy that has freakish ability,” Pettine said. “But he’s got some technique things that need to get cleaned up.” More on the Browns and Ravens..

The Ravens have made it known that a new deal for wide receiver Torrey Smith is a priority and it sounds like the interest is mutual, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. “Everybody knows I want to be in Baltimore for the long haul,” Smith said. “Even when my playing days are long gone, I’m still be here. It’s something I’m looking forward to. I’m pretty sure and hopeful that it will be able to happen one day. It’s a business. I’m not losing any sleep wondering what’s going to happen contractually.”
The Ravens met today with veteran unrestricted free agent nose tackle Terrence Cody, sources tell Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. If Baltimore re-signs Cody, he would likely figure into the defensive line rotation as a backup.
The Browns are using one of their 30 official visits on Texas guard Trey Hopkins, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net. Hopkins is a legitimate late round or undrafted free agent prospect.

Extra Points: Saints, Bears, Gore, Eagles

March 7th, 2014 at 10:35pm CST by David Kipke

Earlier tonight, franchise player Jimmy Graham tweeted that he’s “shocked and disappointed” about everything that’s happened in New Orleans this offseason. Graham is likely referencing the Saints’ decisions to cut offensive weapons Lance Moore and Darren Sproles. According to John Breech of CBSSports.com, there’s a chance the team could release running back Pierre Thomas as well. Albert Breer of the NFL Network tweeted that the decision to cut Moore and Sproles likely stemmed from the large cap numbers of Jahri Evans, Ben Grubbs, Marques Colston, and Brodrick Bunkley.

Let’s look at some other news tidbits from this Friday evening…

Lance Briggs expressed similar frustrations to Graham with the Bears‘ front office on Friday, saying that if he ran the team, he would “trade all the draft picks and bring my brothers back.” Briggs was presumably referencing players like Charles Tillman, Devin Hester, and Brian Urlacher. While Urlacher retired after last season, the team seems ready to cut ties with Hester and Tillman. It is widely expected that the Bears will also part ways with Julius Peppers due to the eight-time Pro Bowler’s huge cap figure.
49ers GM Trent Baalke has said that, considering Frank Gore “had a A++ season” in 2013, the team doesn’t feel it needs to restructure the five-time Pro Bowl running back’s contract this offseason, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (via Twitter).
Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer thinks that the Eagles should pursue safety Malcolm Jenkins in free agency. McLane argues that the new free agent would be a better schematic fit for the Eagles than more prominent free agent safeties such as Jairus Byrd and T.J. Ward. He thinks the Eagles could also pursue the Panthers’ Michael Mitchell and the Dolphins’ Chris Clemons, among others.
Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune (via Twitter) thinks that because of the departures of Sproles and Moore, the Saints will be looking for a return specialist this offseason. Duncan speculates that the team could address this void by targeting Devin Hester, New Orleans native Jacoby Jones, or perhaps even a prospect like LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham.
Desmond Bryant, defensive end for the Browns, says he’s been medically cleared to play after a health scare, according to Marc Sessler of NFL.com and Bryant’s personal Twitter account.
Tom Reed of the Northeast Ohio Media Group identifies six free agent offensive lineman that could interest the Browns, including San Diego’s Chad Rinehart and Kansas City’s Geoff Schwartz.
Ravens defensive tackle Terrence Cody, whose contract situation is currently up in the air, has signed with Authentic Athletix NFL agent Peter Schaffer, according to a tweet by Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journalism. Cody had been previously represented by Athletes First.
Ben Tate told Mark Berman of FOX 26 in Houston that he can become an “elite” running back next season. Tate has not been shy about his plans to test free agency and finally step into a starting role on another team.
Darnell Dockett called free agent tackle Branden Albert his teammate in a tweet earlier today, according to Joel Thorman of Arrowhead Pride. While Albert’s response to the tweet, which was quickly deleted, deflected Dockett’s comments, it did not directly dispute the teammate comment.

Ray Rice Expected To Be Suspended

February 20th, 2014 at 8:55pm CST by Dallas Robinson

THURSDAY, 6:55pm: A source tells theMMQB.com’s Robert Klemko that Atlantic City police have an unreleased video of Rice knocking his fiancée unconscious before dragging her (via Twitter). Klemko said he expects a suspension for Rice.

MONDAY, 1:32pm: Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome says running back Ray Rice will be back with the team in 2014, and remains a “big part” of the team’s plans, according to Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times. Rice was arrested Saturday as part of a domestic dispute, and his off-the-field trouble only adds to his recent struggles. Rice, 27, is coming off his worst statistical season as a starter, as he rushed for just 660 yards and four touchdowns, and ranked as the worst running back in the league according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics. As he enters the third year of a five-year-deal, one could speculate that his roster spot might be in jeopardy, but Newsome seemingly squashed this notion, only allowing that the organization was not finished gathering information on the incident.

Some other Ravens-centric news items:

ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley summarizes Rice’s recent troubles, and notes that the Ravens would not receive any cap room even if they released Rice. If Rice continues to struggle next season, the Ravens could cut him June 1 and save $3MM.
In a separate piece, Hensley examines the Ravens’ options for the franchise tag, and comes up with only one answer: tight end Dennis Pitta. The Ravens are extremely thin at tight end, as Ed Dickson and Dallas Clark are also free agents. As we covered yesterday, Pitta might be able to make the case that he should be tagged as a wide receiver.
Hensley also writes that offensive tackle Eugene Monroe is not a candidate to be franchise-tagged because the Ravens don’t feel he is worth the projected $11MM tender.
The Terrell Suggs extension creates more financial opportunities for the Ravens, writes Brent Sobleski of USA Today. Monroe is a likely candidate for extension, as fellow lineman Michael Oher is not expected to be retained, and the Ravens cannot afford to lose both their starting tackles.
Bo Smolka of CSNBaltimore.com analyzes the state of the Raven’s defensive line, writing that Arthur Jones is as good as gone. Defensive tackle Terrence Cody could return, but the Ravens will not overspend to keep him.