Bucs, Panthers, Bengals In Mix For Collins
Free agent offensive tackle Anthony Collins is choosing between the Buccaneers, Panthers, and returning to the Bengals, tweets Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. According to Auman, all three teams’ offers for Collins include comparable money.
Collins, 28, has been linked to the Buccaneers since before the free agent period officially began, and was viewed by some observers as a near-lock to sign with Tampa Bay. However, the Bengals remain in the hunt to keep their own player, and the Panthers, in search of a replacement for the retiring Jordan Gross, are a surprise contender for Collins’ services.
Having spent his first six NFL seasons in Cincinnati, Collins has never had an extended run as a full-time player, starting no more than seven games in any season for the Bengals. However, he was excellent in his 673 offensive snaps last season, never recording a negative grade in a game, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). If he can maintain that type of performance in full-time action, he could be one of the steals in this year’s tackle market.
FA Visits: Woodley, Munnerlyn, Browner
Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie and head coach Dennis Allen were out to dinner with edge defenders LaMarr Woodley and Justin Tuck Wednesday night with the Raiders, and things are moving in the right direction with both players, says Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter links). Here’s more from around the NFL on free agent visits:
- While it sounds as if Woodley’s meeting with the Raiders went well, the ex-Steeler is on his way to Tennessee to meet with the Titans today, tweets Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com.
- Panthers free agent cornerback Captain Munnerlyn visited the Vikings last night and also has appointments planned with the Jets and Buccaneers, tweets Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer.
- After reaching an agreement yesterday with ex-Buc Darrelle Revis, the Patriots will host another free agent cornerback for a visit today, according to Mark Ockerbloom of Fox 25 Boston, who tweets that Brandon Browner will meet with the team.
- Defensive lineman Anthony Spencer is visiting the Redskins, according to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News.
- The Panthers brought free agent defensive back Roman Harper in for a visit, writes Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.
- Free agent linebacker Darryl Sharpton is meeting with the Titans today, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- The Lions are hosting free agent safety James Ihedigbo for a visit, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, who notes (via Twitter) that Ihedigbo has a history with new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.
Latest On Darrelle Revis
The Buccaneers are cleaning house and earlier today they made star cornerback Darrelle Revis walk the plank. Here’s the very latest on Revis and his future…
- The talks between Revis and the Jets (mentioned below) were initiated by the cornerback’s side in an attempt to see if there was interest, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post (via Twitter)
Earlier updates:
- The Jets and Revis have been in touch about a possible reunion, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. According to Mehta, the cornerback would like to play for Rex Ryan again, and that interest is believed to be mutual, but it’s unclear if the team’s management and ownership would be fully on board as well.
- Buccaneers GM Jason Licht says “it came close a couple different times” when asked about a potential trade for Revis on NFL Network, tweets Ian Rapoport.
- A member of Revis’ camp is confident that he will end up on Patriots, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. “It’s going to happen,” the source told Mehta.
- Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com (on Twitter) hears from a source that the Eagles are expected to make a play for Revis. Meanwhile, Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com (on Twitter) says Revis to the Eagles is not going to happen. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (on Twitter) doesn’t see it happening with the Eagles since their scheme doesn’t require a shutdown CB.
WR Rumors: Sanders, Edelman, Tate
Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and defensive lineman Ziggy Hood are in town visiting the Jaguars, tweets Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida-Times Union. However, Sanders has other visits scheduled this week, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter) and Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (on Twitter) adds that the Jets are still a possibility.
- Sanders is set to visit with the Buccaneers following his visit with the Jaguars today, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
- The Ravens remain quite interested in free agent wide receiver Julian Edelman, tweets La Canfora. Meanwhile, the Patriots want him back and other teams are also in the mix.
- Golden Tate said the Jaguars, Jets, and the incumbent Seahawks were also interested in his services, tweets Mike Rothstein of ESPN. The former Seattle receiver landed with the Lions earlier today.
Buccaneers Sign Alterraun Verner
WEDNESDAY, 3:27pm: The Buccaneers tweeted that the deal is official.
TUESDAY, 8:25pm: The Buccaneers have agreed to terms with cornerback Alterraun Verner, tweets Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. The contract is a four-year deal, worth $26.5MM with $14MM in guaranteed money, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Verner was the eighth best free agent available according to PFR’s own Luke Adams, and signed a very favorable deal compared to what other cornerbacks are expected to get in this market. Sam Shields signed a contract that could be worth $39MM to stay with the Packers earlier this offseason, and Aqib Talib, Vontae Davis, and Verner were all allegedly seeking contracts in the range of $8MM-$10MM per year.
Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that the Jets were never serious contenders for Verner’s services (via Twitter). The Giants and Vikings were also thought to be interested in the former Titan.
Buccaneers Release Darrelle Revis
2:50pm: The Buccaneers have officially announced the release of Revis. In a statement, GM Jason Licht cited the team’s “specific ideas regarding the best way to build this defense” as motivation for the move.
2:31pm: The Buccaneers are cutting star cornerback Darrelle Revis, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Tampa Bay had tried to trade Revis this week, but seemingly couldn’t find a suitable offer. If the team had kept the veteran corner beyond 3:00pm central time today, he would have been owed a $1.5MM roster bonus, and the Bucs would have owed New York a third-round pick rather than a fourth-rounder.
After missing 2012 with a torn ACL, Revis once again ascended to the top of Pro Football Focus’ cornerback rankings. While Bucs coach Lovie Smith has stated that Revis and his fondness for playing man-to-man coverage could fit in Tampa’s Cover-2 defense, the cornerback’s contract, which included a $16MM annual cap hit, ultimately proved untenable for a Bucs team that decided to use that money to add several other players. Because none of Revis’ cap hit was tied to prorated bonuses, Tampa Bay clears the entire $16MM from its books.
While no team was willing to give up a draft pick to acquire Revis at his previous salary, plenty of clubs are expected to express interest now that he’s an unrestricted free agent. The Patriots, who lost Aqib Talib, are one suitor to watch. One member of Revis’ camp told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News this afternoon that he thinks the cornerback will eventually land with the Patriots (Twitter link). A return to the Jets has also been viewed as a possibility.
Bucs Rumors: Tillman, Ginn, Joseph
The Buccaneers aren’t done yet. Even after signing Alterraun Verner yesterday to a four-year, $26.5MM pact and landing quarterback Josh McCown, Tampa Bay is still in on free agent cornerback Charles Tillman, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Tillman figures to have plenty of suitors around the NFL but the opportunity to reunite with former coach Lovie Smith might draw him to Tampa Bay. More on the Buccaneers..
- Along with the Ravens, the Buccaneers and Raiders could be a landing spot for free agent wide receiver Steve Smith, a source tells Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer (on Twitter). Earlier today, Smith’s agent revealed that his client has played his last snap in Carolina.
- The Buccaneers confirmed that they are hosting free agent wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., writes Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. Ginn, the ninth-overall pick in the 2007 draft, has made a name for himself in the return game. Ginn, 29 in April, averaged 12.2 yards per punt return in 2013 and 23.8 yards per kickoff return.
- Former Buccaneers guard Davin Joseph is visiting the Rams today, a source tells Jeremy Fowler of CBS Sports (on Twitter). Joseph saw time in all 16 games for Tampa Bay last season.
Buccaneers Sign Josh McCown
1:28pm: McCown’s deal also includes incentives that could push the deal to $15MM, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports 1. The deal is similar to the one Chad Henne struck with the Jaguars.
1:16pm: The Buccaneers have signed Josh McCown to a two-year deal, tweets agent Mike McCartney. McCown broke out last season when he got the opportunity to start in place of Jay Cutler. McCown will get $10MM over two years under the deal with $4.75MM coming this year and $5.25MM next year, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter).
We heard earlier today that the Bucs were pushing to land the veteran quarterback. While McCown may not have the full career resume of other free agent quarterbacks like Michael Vick, he had the best 2013 of any free agent signal caller. The 34-year-old also had visits scheduled with the Texans and Jets this week, but he’ll be skipping those flights. McCown previously said that he’d only leave the Bears for an opportunity to lead his own team and it appears that he got that with his deal in Tampa Bay.
“If I leave Chicago, if that’s the case, [a starting job] is the opportunity I’m looking for,” McCown said. “And once those opportunities come, what’s the coaching staff? What are the players there in place?…. To leave Chicago, it would be a situation where I’m looking to be able to compete to start or grow more as a player. The only way you can do that as a player is on the field.”
After a journeyman career, McCown found his footing in Chicago over the course of five starts and eight games in total. McCown, who was thrust into the starting role after Cutler was lost to injury, ended the 2013 season completing 66.8 of his passes for 1,829 yards with 13 touchdowns, one interception and a 109.0 passer rating, the third highest behind Peyton Manning and Nick Foles. Over the course of his career, McCown has spent time with the Cardinals, Lions, Raiders, Panthers, and Bears, making a total of 38 starts under center. In his five games starting for Chicago this year, McCown filled in admirably with the Bears going 3-2.
Bucs Pushing To Land McCown, Collins
The Buccaneers have pushed their afternoon press conference back to 4:30pm ET as the team attempts to increase its free agent haul. According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter), the Bucs are “pushing to add” quarterback Josh McCown and offensive tackle Anthony Collins, and have a good chance of landing both players.
Both McCown and Collins made Tampa Bay the first stop in their respective free agency tours, and while McCown at least has more visits scheduled, it’s possible that he won’t end up making them. With a new regime in place for the Bucs, the team is seeking a veteran free agent quarterback, and McCown had the best season of any of 2014’s free agents, even if the career achievements of Michael Vick and some others may surpass McCown’s career production.
As for Collins, he has appeared likely to end up with the Bucs since the free agent market for tackles began taking shape. Other teams prioritizing left tackles in free agency, such as the Dolphins, Ravens, Raiders, and Cardinals, have already reached agreements with players, less than 24 hours into free agency.
By the time the team’s presser begins this afternoon, Tampa Bay may also have news to announce regarding Darrelle Revis. The Bucs are expected to trade or release the star cornerback by 4:00pm ET today.
Contract Details: Verner, Griffen, Mitchell
As part of the 4-year, $26.5MM contract Alterraun Verner will sign with the Buccaneers, $1MM of the total value comes as a Pro Bowl incentive, tweets Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. Here are the latest contract details from around the NFL..
- Everson Griffen‘s $19.8MM of guaranteed money in his new deal with the Vikings comes from a $6MM signing bonus and fully guaranteed $6.9MM base salaries in 2014 and 2015, tweets Joel Corry of CBSSports.com. Griffen has a $8.2MM cap number in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 and his cap number rises to $9.7MM in 2018, Corry tweets.If the Vikings cut Griffen after the 2015 season, they owe him nothing and take just a $3.6M cap hit, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today.
- Michael Mitchell‘s five-year, $25MM deal with the Steelers calls for him to earn $6MM in the first year followed by a $2MM roster bonus due on the fifth day of 2015 league year, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today.
- Toby Gerhart gets a $3MM roster bonus and $1MM base in the first year of his three-year, $10.5MM deal with the Jaguars, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. He also has a $500K roster bonus guaranteed for skill/injury in ’15.
- Tyson Jackson gets $9.5MM in first year of his five-year, $25MM pact from the Falcons, Pelissero tweets. He has another $1.5MM in 2015 guaranteed for injury only until next year. Jackson has $11MM guaranteed in total with an $8MM signing bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- Wilson (on Twitter) has the goods on Darrell Stuckey‘s deal with the Chargers. It’s a four year, $7.6MM deal with $1.735MM guaranteed and salaries of $730K, $1MM, $1.235MM, and $2.9MM.
- Earl Mitchell‘s deal with the Dolphins is as follows, according to Wilson (Twitter link): It’s a four-year, $19MM with $8MM guaranteed and a $2MM bonus. The salaries are $3MM, $4MM, $2.975MM, and $3.975MM .
- In the Chiefs‘ two-year deal for Husain Abdullah, he’ll get $2.27MM in total with a $750K signing bonus, Wilson tweets. His salaries are $725K in 2014 and $745K in 2015.
- Andre Roberts‘ four-year contract with the Redskins includes a $4MM signing bonus, tweets Zac Boyer of the Washington Times. He’ll count $2.25MM against the cap in 2014.