Los Angeles Chargers Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

West Notes: J. Williams, DGB, Gordon, Hawks

March 16th, 2015 at 5:54pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Despite being waived by the Seahawks less than two weeks ago, defensive tackle Jesse Williams is expected to re-sign with Seattle soon, as he tells Tom Boswell of the Courier-Mail. The 24-year-old Williams has spent the duration of his two-year NFL career on injured reserve with knee issues, but he says multiple surgeries have corrected the issue. The Alabama product became the first Australian to win a Super Bowl ring when the Seahawks won the championship in 2014.

Here’s more from Seattle and rest of the NFL’s West divisions…

Before they acquired Jimmy Graham last week, the Seahawks were “digging into” Oklahoma receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link). Green-Beckham carries quite a bit of off-the-field baggage, but Seattle could be looking to add a downfield threat via the draft, leading Robinson to wonder if the club could take a chance on DGB if he falls to the second round.
In other draft news, the Cardinals are meeting with Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon today, tweets Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports. Arizona has been linked to Adrian Peterson, but as Getlin notes, Gordon would present a younger and cheaper alternative at the position.
Though he didn’t outwardly express it during a press conference earlier today, it’s clear Chargers owner Dean Spanos is skeptical about keeping the team in San Diego, writes Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, who adds that it should be clear by the start of the season whether the Chargers will be able to stay in SD.

AFC West Links: Raiders, Broncos, Hardy

March 15th, 2015 at 7:23pm CST by Rob DiRe

Raiders safety Charles Woodson is excited about what the team was able to do in free agency, despite the lack of one huge signing, writes Jerry McDonald of InsideBayArea.com.

“There’s no question that Suh would have been huge. He would have been huge. He would have been a great addition to the team,” said Woodson. “But at the same time, if you don’t get a Suh, you can get three or four other players to make up for it. And what that does is build depth. So you bring in guys that are possibly starters, that will compete for a starting job, and then we’ve still got money to get three or four other guys. Then you’ve got the draft coming up. So you have the potential to build the team the way you want to. Just because you didn’t get the one guy, we’ll have the opportunity to build this team the right way and that’s what Reggie’s looking at.”‘

Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie is looking at free agency in the same light as Woodson, and is happy with what they were able to do, according to McDonald. “Every year you go after a lot of guys, and you don’t get them all,” McKenzie said. “Our intent was to go out hard and heavy after each one of these guys, and we were able to land a whole bunch of guys we really liked.”
The Broncos were big spenders in free agency last offseason, but were more reserved this year as they lost Julius Thomas, Terrance Knighton, and Rahim Moore. Head coach Gary Kubiak stressed the importance of being able to sustain success by replacing veterans with younger players, writes Mike Klis of the Denver Post. “I think you have to understand that’s going to happen with your football team,” Kubiak said. “You can’t keep everybody that you’d like to. Being able to replace guys is part of it. And right now our biggest challenge is that we have to improve a lot of the younger players.”
One free agent the Broncos were able to bring in was offensive lineman Shelley Smith, who played college ball at Colorado State University. Smith was specifically excited to play for Kubiak, writes Troy Renck of the Denver Post. “We have a lot of friends and family here, a lot of support. And it was very appealing. I think he is a heck of a coach, and some of his staff obviously followed him,” Smith said Saturday. “Obviously the scheme has proven to be a very good system and I think it fits my capabilities well.”
Kevin Acee of the U-T San Diego asked a few Chargers’ players if they would be receptive to bringing in Greg Hardy despite his legal troubles. He feels the locker room would approve of the signing (via Twitter). However, he warns them that they will lose their right to judge the next player who gets himself into an ugly situation if they do take him in (via Twitter).

AFC Rumors: Bowe, Johnson, Cameron

March 14th, 2015 at 7:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

Dwayne Bowe will spend the night in Cleveland and begin his visit after dinner with Browns officials, ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports on Twitter.

Bowe’s visit will continue into Sunday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot reports.

Displaced from his near-decade-long post as the Chiefs‘ No. 1 wide receiver by Jeremy Maclin earlier this week, Bowe is currently discussing work in a place that’s had worse wideout luck. The Chiefs released Bowe after eight seasons earlier this week after making substantial 2015 commitments to Maclin and franchise player Justin Houston.

A 2007 first-round pick, Bowe has an obvious connection to the Browns, with current GM Ray Farmer having served as the Chiefs’ director of pro personnel from 2006-12.

Down their own No. 1 wide receiver in Josh Gordon, the Browns added possession target Brian Hartline earlier and lost out on retaining their top eligible pass-catcher, Jordan Cameron, in a confusing back-and-forth sequence Thursday. Despite Bowe’s inconsistency, he’d be an upgrade in Cleveland and likely on a friendlier cap number than the $14MM he was to occupy on the Chiefs’ cap this season after signing a long-term extension in 2013.

In other AFC news …

Cabot sheds some light on the latest Cleveland talent relocating his talents to South Beach. In the piece, Cabot discusses the Browns’ preference for Charles Clay over Cameron before backing off due to the Bills‘ infatuation with the Dolphins’ transition player. Cameron said in his introductory presser with the Dolphins he never had a verbal agreement with the Browns despite the media reports to the contrary. The other key piece of information from this report: Cleveland offered Cameron to the Seahawks for Percy Harvin last season before the wideout was dealt to the Jets.
Stevie Johnson will visit the Patriots on Monday, tweets NBC4 (Washington D.C.) anchor Dianna Marie Russini. This summit comes after Johnson met with the Chargers on Friday. The Patriots already signed Brandon Gibson to bolster competition among their reserve wideouts, although Johnson comes with a higher pedigree. The Jets also are a team that could make a play for Johnson as his former offensive coordinator and quarterback — Chan Gailey and Ryan Fitzpatrick, respectively — reside there, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport on Twitter.
The Chargers’ receiver pursuit also includes ex-Jaguars No. 1 target Cecil Shorts, tweets Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

49ers Sign Shareece Wright

March 14th, 2015 at 5:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers agreed to terms on a one-year contract with cornerback Shareece Wright following his visit this week, Bay Area News Group’s Can Inman reports. The team made it official on its Twitter account.

It’s a one-year deal worth up to $5MM — $4MM in base salary and $1MM in incentives, notes San Diego Union-Tribune Chargers reporter Michael Gehlken on Twitter.

This comes hours after the 49ers lost Perrish Cox to the Titans. San Francisco’s other starting corner in 2014, Chris Culliver, signed in Washington on Friday.

Wright started the past two seasons for the Chargers, where the former 2011 third-round pick out of USC drew a league-high eight pass interference penalties in 2014. Turning 28 in April, Wright rated 105th out of 108 corners in Pro Football Focus’ 2014 grades (subscription required) and 103rd out of 110 graded performers the year prior.

This move merely adds depth to the 49ers’ suddenly depleted corner corps. Inman expects holdovers Tramaine Brock and Dontae Johnson to be the favorites to succeed Culliver and Cox in the starting lineup, with Jimmie Ward entering in nickel packages. Wright, however, will make more than the younger trio next season so he’ll be in the mix to start as well.

Regardless of who starts, 2015 will mark the second straight season where the 49ers deploy two new starting corners.

FA Notes: Crabtree, Parker, Dwyer

March 14th, 2015 at 10:48am CST by Ben Levine

Through the first three days of free agency, we’ve seen boatloads of money handed out by front offices. According to the NFL Players Association (on Twitter), there were 85 contracts filed to the NFLPA during the first 72 hours of free agency. The value of those contracts was worth more than $1.3B dollars, including close to $590MM in guaranteed money.

As the majority of the free agent class seeks their next contract, let’s take a look at notes surrounding some notable players…

Washington has interest in wideout Michael Crabtree, tweets ESPN.com’s John Keim. The writer notes that the Chargers appear to be a “stronger possibility.”
The Ravens have been seeking consistency at the safety position since the retirement of Ed Reed, and Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun says free agent Ron Parker could be the team’s answer. The 27-year-old, who spent the past two seasons with the Chiefs, has received interest from the Bears and Buccaneers. Keim notes that Kansas City is also interested in retaining the former undrafted free agent.
According to Fox Sports’ Alex Marvez (on Twitter), the NFL has indicated that free agent running back Jonathan Dwyer is free to sign with any team. However, discipline is “pending” following Dwyer pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct.

Stevie Johnson Visited Chargers

March 13th, 2015 at 10:01pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

It was reported Friday that the Patriots were “targeting” free agent wide receiver Stevie Johnson. If true, it appears they’ll have serious competition for the seven-year veteran’s services. Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that Johnson visited the Chargers on Friday. According to Gehlken, Johnson left San Diego unsigned, but the visit was a “positive” one and he’s likely to make a decision on his future “no later than Monday.”

The 49ers released Johnson earlier this week after a disappointing season that saw the 28-year-old total a mere 35 catches in 13 games. He does have a successful track record, though, having amassed 336 catches and 31 touchdowns during his career – mostly in Buffalo – and would lend help to a receiver-needy Chargers team.

San Diego has pursued big-time targets this offseason to improve its receiving corps, only to come up empty on the likes of Andre Johnson and Eddie Royal – both of whom signed with other clubs. Royal, who was a member of the Chargers the past three seasons, finished second among Bolts wideouts in receptions (62) and yards (778) in 2014. His seven touchdowns led all San Diego receivers. In the wake of his departure, the only starting-caliber receivers left on the Chargers’ roster are Malcom Floyd and Keenan Allen. Although effective, the two have combined for just a single 1,000-yard season (Allen in 2013), while Johnson has three to his name.

Johnson’s impressive career production has come despite never having played with an elite-level quarterback, which the Chargers have in Philip Rivers. During his six years with the Bills, Johnson was mostly on the receiving end of passes from journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick, while his QB in San Francisco was Colin Kaepernick – who underwhelmed last season.

Chargers Sign Jimmy Wilson

March 13th, 2015 at 8:23pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

8:23pm: Wilson’s deal is worth $4.85MM, per Salguero (Twitter link).

6:59pm: The Chargers have signed free agent defensive back Jimmy Wilson to a two-year contract, the team announced (via Twitter). Financial terms of the deal have not yet been reported.

Wilson, 28, spent the first four years of his career in Miami. As recently as Wednesday, the Dolphins were in talks with Wilson’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, in hopes of retaining him, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald tweeted.

Wilson appeared in 60 games as a Dolphin and intercepted four passes. He totaled just eight starts during his first three seasons before amassing a career-high 13 in 2014. Eight of those starts came at cornerback, while the other five were from the safety position. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) wasn’t impressed with Wilson’s work as a corner last year, ranking him 94th out of 108 qualifiers. However, the site rated him a far better 34th out of 87 safeties.

Wilson will add depth and versatility to a Chargers defense that finished fourth against the pass in 2014. However, San Diego has already lost safety Marcus Gilchrist to free agency this year and could also see cornerback Shareece Wright depart.

NFC Notes: Housler, Barksdale, Wright

March 13th, 2015 at 4:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Former Cardinals tight end Rob Housler visited the Falcons, ESPN Falcons reporter Vaughn McClure pointed out on Twitter. Although benched in favor of 2014 free agent acquisition John Carlson, Housler, with a 4.46 40-yard dash to his credit, was serviceable as a part-time starter in 2012 and 2013 and could be an upgrade in Atlanta.

The former Florida Atlantic talent would join a corps fronted by Levine Toilolo, who Pro Football Focus rated as its fourth-worst tight end last season (subscription required) in his bid to replace Tony Gonzalez.

In other news as the second wave of free agency persists …

Bruce Arians told radio station 97.5 TheFanatic he’s excited to venture into draft preparations without any actual needs, per a tweet from ESPN Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss. Most notably, the Cardinals fortified their offensive front with premier guard Mike Iupati and underrated center A.Q. Shipley and brought in second-level defensive help in linebackers Sean Weatherspoon and LaMarr Woodley.
The Rams‘ push to retain Joe Barksdale remains pertinent with some teams calling him the best right tackle left, ESPN’s Adam Caplan tweets. Of course, the LSU product’s decision may linger with his wedding set for tomorrow, relays ESPN Rams beat man Adam Wagoner via Twitter.
Lance Kendricks‘ decision to sign a second contract with the Rams, a four-year, $18.5MM accord, featured a Falcons bid reportedly higher, adds Wagoner on Twitter. This could be good news for Housler.
After losing Chris Culliver to Washington earlier today, the 49ers are hosting Shareece Wright on a visit with “lots of mutual interest,” notes NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport on Twitter. A soon-to-be 28-year-old corner coming off two seasons as a starter for the Chargers, Wright has interest from three other teams, the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Michael Gehlken reported on Twitter.
The Texans‘ acquisition of ex-Broncos free safety Rahim Moore didn’t come without a fight from the Vikings, ESPN1500 Twin Cities reporter Darren Wolfson notes (Twitter link). Moore requested more money from the Vikings than the Texans had to bid, and Minnesota wouldn’t oblige.

FA Rumors: J. Johnson, Parker, Falcons, 49ers

March 13th, 2015 at 12:39pm CST by Luke Adams

Free agent safety Jeron Johnson is generating some interest around the league, and will pay a visit to Washington, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (via Twitter). Johnson, a Boise State product, never saw any real significant playing time on defense for a Seahawks team that featured Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, but he was a solid backup and excelled on special teams.

Let’s round up a few more Friday free agent news items and rumors from around the NFL….

The Bears would like to sign safety Ron Parker, but he left Chicago last night without a deal, a source confirms to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, who tweets that the former Chief appears to be in no rush to sign.
Having already met with the Seahawks and Broncos, Shelley Smith will make his next visit to Atlanta to meet with the Falcons, a source tells Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The free agent offensive lineman is scheduled to arrive tonight and have his official visit tomorrow.
The 49ers saw one of their free agent cornerbacks, Chris Culliver, find a deal in Washington today, but according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, they’ve spoken to another – Chris Cook – about returning (Twitter link). Still, Maiocco’s source says there have been no recent conversations between the two sides.
Free agent center Stefen Wisniewski remains in Seattle for now, but a visit to the Rams is “very possible,” tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In addition to visiting the Seahawks, Wisniewski also met with the Bucs earlier this week.
Offensive lineman Erik Pears, who visited the 49ers this week, is also receiving interest from the Jets and Broncos, tweets Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Pears started all 16 games for the Bills at right guard last season.
The Chargers are continuing to eye the free agent market in search of upgrades at wide receiver, after having lost Eddie Royal to Chicago, writes Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Former Giants guard John Jerry is making a free agent visit to Tennessee today to meet with the Titans, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter). Having waited out the first wave of free agency, the Titans have been very active today, locking up Brian Orakpo, Derrick Morgan, Ryan Succop, and Karl Klug to new contracts.

Thursday Roundup: Weddle, Peterson, Harvin

March 12th, 2015 at 10:08pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Chargers still have over $21MM in cap space, and could look to spend that money to add to the team this offseason. Meanwhile, star safety Eric Weddle is coming into the last year of his contract and is unsure of his future with the team, writes Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com.

“I think I’ve earned [a new deal],” Weddle said. “But it has to work both ways. They have to want it, too. And if they don’t, then we will play it out and I’ll be a free agent next year “I want to be here, but I understand the situation and what they want to do. If I’m a part of it — great. If not, then I plan on making this season a memorable one and we’ll see what happens from there.”

The Vikings are focused on keeping Adrian Peterson, not trading him, writes Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune. But Vensel’s colleague at the Star Tribune, Michael Rand, believes the stars are aligning for the Cowboys to make a trade for Peterson.
Percy Harvin has finished his visit with the Bills, and he is mulling other possible visits, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (via Twitter). La Canfora adds that the Harvin situation could begin to wrap itself up as early as this weekend.
Brian Orakpo is in Tennessee on a visit and is planning to meet with the Cardinals next. However, he might not make it to Arizona if the Titans can get a deal in place before he leaves tonight, writes John Keim of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
Shelley Smith has left Seattle without a deal and will now visit the Broncos, tweets Mike Klis of the Denver Post.
Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star looks ahead to the rest of the Colts‘ offseason, noting that the team has already made its big splashes with the additions of Andre Johnson, Trent Cole, and Frank Gore. However, Holder expects Indianapolis to perhaps add a safety like Louis Delmas or Kendrick Lewis and/or an offensive lineman in the second wave of free agency, when better bargains can be had. The Colts currently have around $15-16MM in available cap space.
49ers GM Trent Baalke does not appear especially concerned about losing last year’s starting cornerbacks Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox should those two players sign elsewhere in free agency. As Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News writes, Baalke is confident that the team has capable internal options to fill the void.

Rory Parks contributed to this post.

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