HEADLINES

Wesley Woodyard

Extra Points: Raiders, Bills, LaFell, Broncos

March 14th, 2014 at 10:12am CST by Luke Adams

Having already added LaMarr Woodley and Justin Tuck to their defense, the Raiders continue to eye veteran free agents, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who tweets that Antonio Smith is visiting the club today before meeting with the Rams tomorrow. Here’s more from around the NFL:

  • The Bills currently have no plans to add a veteran quarterback to their roster, GM Doug Whaley told WGR550 today (link via ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak).
  • The Jets have had multiple discussions with Brandon LaFell‘s camp, but no visit has been scheduled for the free agent receiver, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
  • Vikings defensive back Jamarca Sanford agreed to restructure his contract last week, reducing his base salary by $750K in exchange for a $400K guarantee and playing-time incentives, according to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.
  • Following the Broncos‘ defensive shopping spree, the team is still in the market for an interior offensive lineman, a wide receiver, and a middle linebacker, writes Mike Klis of the Denver Post.
  • The Ravens spoke to linebacker Wesley Woodyard before he reached a deal with the Titans, but Baltimore never got heavily involved, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
  • Examining a few of this week’s signings, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com explains how contract numbers are often artificially inflated when they’re first reported.

Wesley Woodyard To Sign With Titans

March 14th, 2014 at 9:41am CST by Luke Adams

Wesley Woodyard has decided on a team, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN, who tweets that the linebacker just told her he’ll sign with the Titans. Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports reports (via Twitter) that the two sides have agreed to a four-year deal worth up to $16MM. Woodyard had met with the Patriots earlier this week before visiting the Titans.

Woodyard, who spent the first six seasons of his career in Denver, started 24 games over the course of the last two years with the Broncos. In those two seasons as a full-time player, the 27-year-old recorded a slightly below-average grade, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics, but logged seven total sacks, forced three fumbles, and averaged over 100 tackles per season.

Linebacker had been an area of focus for the Titans this offseason, as the team had interest in Darryl Sharpton and LaMarr Woodley before those players agreed to sign elsewhere. Akeem Jordan is also visiting the Titans today.

AFC Rumors: Jones, LaFell, Mack

March 12th, 2014 at 2:22pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets have expressed real interest in Packers free agent wide receiver James Jones, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. There’s no visit scheduled yet, however. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter) adds that the Jets want to sign two wide receivers this offseason.

  • The Jets have interest in Panthers free agent wide receiver Brandon LaFell, tweets Brian Costello of the New York Post. However, there’s no visit scheduled just yet (link). The Patriots are known to have interest and the Broncos are also in the mix.
  • Four teams have been in contact with Browns free agent center Alex Mack on various levels, Rapoport tweets. Mack is currently waiting for the frenzy to die down. The Colts and Ravens are among the teams with interest (link).
  • Defensive tackle Jason Hatcher will be visiting the Raiders today after his visit with the Seahawks, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter).
  • The Ravens would like to re-sign linebacker Daryl Smith but not at his current asking price, tweets Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. Brandon Spikes and Wesley Woodyard are among other free agent options. Zrebiec also suggests that they could target Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley in the draft.
  • The Broncos were interested in defensive playmakers all day yesterday, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Before they landed Aqib Talib on a multi-year deal, they tried to get in on Jairus Byrd. Byrd, of course, went to the Saints.

Titans Rumors: FA Visits, Hatcher, Woodley

March 12th, 2014 at 10:04am CST by Luke Adams

Several of the Titans’ early free agent visits have been reported already, but Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean now provides a specific schedule for the first few. According to Wyatt (Twitter links), defensive lineman Al Woods and running back Anthony Dixon will be in town today, while the team will host defensive lineman Antonio Smith and linebacker Wesley Woodyard on Thursday, assuming neither player has agreed to sign with another club by then.

Here’s more from Wyatt:

Titans Rumors: Woods, Woodyard, Verner

March 11th, 2014 at 10:28pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier tonight, the Titans lost Alterraun Verner to the Buccaneers when Tampa Bay reached agreement on a four-year deal, worth $26.5MM with the standout cornerback. Here’s the latest out of Tennessee..

  • Steelers nose tackle Al Woods is scheduled to visit the Titans on Wednesday, sources tell Wyatt (on Twitter). The 6’4″, 307 pound lineman saw time in all 16 games last season (including two starts) and registered 2.0 sacks.
  • The Titans are interested in Broncos free agent linebacker Wesley Woodyard, tweets Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. First, however, Woodyard will meet with the Patriots.
  • The Titans made a similar offer to Verner before he eventually opted to take the deal tonight from the Buccaneers, sources tell Jim Wyatt of The Tennesseean (on Twitter).

AFC East Rumors: Vick, Jets, Carroll

March 11th, 2014 at 7:47pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets are very interested in Michael Vick, a source tells Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (on Twitter). They’re hoping to get something wrapped up quickly, but the veteran has other suitors. Meanwhile, Vick is content to sit back and watch everything unfold, writes Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk. A source tells Florio that Vick knows he’s going to get a starting job, so he’ll wait to find the right fit. The latest from the AFC East..

  • Brian Costello of the New York Post (on Twitter) hears nothing will happen quickly between Vick and the Jets. The Jets are interested, but it’s still too early to say how interested.
  • With Austin Howard unlikely to return to New York, the Jets have inquired on free agent right tackle Zach Strief, reports Seth Walder of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
  • Former Dolphins cornerback Nolan Carroll is in transit to the Bills for his first visit and others are scheduled, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Carroll is a big, physical corner who knows the AFC East.
  • A source says linebacker Wesley Woodyard also has plans to visit the Titans after meeting with Patriots on Wednesday, tweets Josina Anderson of ESPN. 

Jaguars Pursuing Beadles, Eyeing Decker

March 11th, 2014 at 1:34pm CST by Luke Adams

Free agent guard Zane Beadles has narrowed his free agent options down to the Jaguars and one other team, reports Mike Klis of the Denver Post. That second team isn’t the Broncos, according to Klis, who says Beadles won’t be returning to Denver. Linebacker Wesley Woodyard also won’t be re-signing with the Broncos, Klis adds.

While it’s not clear what sort of contracts the Jaguars and the mystery suitor are offering Beadles, the guard figures to command a salary in the neighborhood of $5MM per year, says Klis. Considering the Broncos are already heavily invested in left tackle Ryan Clady and right guard Louis Vasquez, the team wasn’t comfortable making a big offer to Beadles as well.

As the Jaguars pursue Beadles, the team is also eyeing another one of the Broncos’ prospective free agents. According to Klis, Jacksonville has expressed interest in wide receiver Eric Decker.

East Notes: Giants, Jennings, Woodyard

March 11th, 2014 at 12:00pm CST by Zachary Links

The Giants are still in the mix for center Evan Dietrich-Smith, but it appears that guard Geoff Schwartz is their more immediate priority, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. Jordan Raanan of the Star-Ledger says the club appears to be looking in house at center. Offensive lineman Kevin Boothe, who started six games at center last season, is being viewed as the possible short-term answer.

  • The Giants have made an offer to free agent running back Rashad Jennings, a league source tells Fallon Smith of CSNBayArea.com (on Twitter). The Raiders, meanwhile, would like to hang on to the tailback.
  • Despite interest from the Cowboys, a source close to Wesley Woodyard told Brandon Krisztal of the Denver Post (on Twitter) that his first trip is to the Patriots with another team visit planned after.
  • Tyson Jackson is getting an impressive amount of interest with suitors including the Dolphins, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Browns and Falcons are also interested while the Chiefs are still in the mix.

NFC East Rumors: Ware, Redskins, Giants, Eagles

March 10th, 2014 at 11:20am CST by Luke Adams

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….

Broncos Notes: Fox, Bailey, Free Agents

February 21st, 2014 at 8:41pm CST by Ben Levine

John Elway has a lot on his plate in the coming weeks, ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold writes. With the Super Bowl behind him, the Broncos‘ general manager can now focus on his offseason tasks. Let’s see what Elway will be up to…

  • The Broncos GM made it clear that he wants to re-sign head coach John Fox. “I want to get him done,” Elway said. “I’m going to sit down with his agent while I’m here, sit down with him and see where we come out.” Fox is entering the final season of a four-year deal he signed in 2011.
  • Elway said that he would meet with cornerback Champ Bailey prior to the opening of free agency. Bailey’s 2012 salary is worth a $10MM cap figure, the second-highest on the team behind Peyton Manning.
  • Elway expects his key free agents – Knowshon Moreno, Eric Decker and Wesley Woodyard – to test free agency. In particular, he expects Decker to evaluate his worth on the market, especially considering that teammates Julius Thomas, Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker are set to become free agents after next season.