FA Rumors: Cobb, Hartline, Branch, C. Williams
With 2015’s free agent period less than a week away, plenty of rumors are swirling around players who are set to become available on Tuesday, as well as players who have reached the open market early. Here’s the latest:
- According to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers have told agent Jimmy Sexton that they’d be interested in signing wide receiver Randall Cobb for a five-year deal worth between $8MM and $9MM per year. Seemingly confident that his client will receive more lucrative offers on the open market, Sexton hasn’t accepted Green Bay’s proposal. “Sexton does a good job for his players,” one NFL team executive tells McGinn. “He measures the market well and knows how to create a market for his clients as well.”
- After visiting the Browns yesterday, wide receiver Brian Hartline headed to Chicago and is meeting with the Bears today, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Hartline’s visit in Cleveland “went really well,” per Florio, who says the ex-Dolphin hopes to decide on his new team within the next 24 hours. While other teams have shown interest in Hartline, it seems likely that the Browns and Bears would be the frontrunners if he anticipates a quick decision.
- Safety Tyvon Branch, whose release was made official by the Raiders this week, will visit the Colts, a source tells Conor Orr of NFL.com (Twitter link). Orr’s report suggests that Branch’s meeting with Indianapolis will be the first of several visits for the free agent defensive back.
- There has been heavy interest thus far in ex-Eagles cornerback Cary Williams, with a dozen teams contacting his agent since he was cut by Philadelphia, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Williams, who is believed to have interest in a reunion with the Ravens, has also drawn interest from the Titans, who “kicked the tires” on the free agent corner, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter).
- Jacoby Jones‘ next visit will be to San Diego to meet with the Chargers, a source tells Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The veteran receiver and return man previously made trips to talk to the Bengals and the Titans.
- Lyons Yellin of WWL-TV in New Orleans tweets that he has heard rumblings about the Eagles being interested in Mark Ingram. With the club poised to send starting running back LeSean McCoy to Buffalo, its reported interest in Ingram certainly makes a little more sense.
AFC Notes: Ginn, Titans, Jaguars, Dunlap
A quick look at the AFC, which will now include star running back LeSean McCoy..
- Ted Ginn Jr. visited the Titans on Tuesday and is expected to visit the 49ers on Wednesday, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Browns and Panthers have also been linked to Ginn.
- All things considered, Jonathan Massaquoi couldn’t have landed in a much better spot even if he had picked it, Mike Wilkening of Pro Football Talk writes. The 26-year-old was picked off of waivers by the Titans, who are rather thin an outside linebacker. The Titans also have starter Derrick Morgan approaching unrestricted free agency.
- Defensive tackle won’t be a priority position for the Jaguars in free agency, even if the team believes Sen’Derrick Marks won’t be ready for the start of the season, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com writes. All in all, defensive tackle is one of the strongest position groups on the team with Roy Miller, Ziggy Hood, and Abry Jones also in the fold.
- King Dunlap‘s new deal with the Chargers will count against the team’s cap for $4.15MM in 2015, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Titans Claim Jonathan Massaquoi Off Waivers
TUESDAY, 4:35pm: The Titans have claimed Massaquoi off waivers from the Falcons, assuming the remainder of his contract, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
FRIDAY, 4:26pm: Having already cut a pair of long-tenured players today, the Falcons have announced another roster move, according to Jay Adams of AtlantaFalcons.com, who tweets that the team has waived Jonathan Massaquoi. The move comes on the heels of the Falcons also cutting wide receiver Harry Douglas and guard Justin Blalock.
Massaquoi, 26, was selected by the Falcons in the fifth round of the 2012 draft, and has since played 40 games for the team, starting seven of them. Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com notes (via Twitter) that the edge defender was in the doghouse last year with the club’s old coaching staff for skipping treatments on his foot, and was upset about his playing time. While Dan Quinn‘s arrival might have meant a clean slate for Massaquoi, it seems the team will instead move on, cutting him a year before his contract was set to expire.
Because he only has three years of experience, Massaquoi will have to clear waivers before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. As for the Falcons, their cap savings will be very limited — the Troy product had a cap number of just $702K for the coming year.
Titans Release Bernard Pollard
The Titans have released Bernard Pollard, according to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean (via Twitter). Pollard first requested his release back in late January but he only recently reached the point health-wise where he was able to be let go (link). The move won’t officially hit the waiver wire until later, but the team has informed the safety that he’ll be released (link).
Last year was Pollard’s second season in Tennessee. After playing under a one-year deal in 2013 that netted him $2MM, Pollard re-signed with the Titans last March, inking a two-year extension. His base salary was set to increase from $1.65MM last year to $3.1MM in 2015, but that money isn’t guaranteed. By honoring his request for release, the Titans will only be on the hook for a prorated portion of his signing bonus, leaving them with just $425K in dead money.
Pollard has also spent time with the Chiefs, Texans, and Ravens and he captured a Super Bowl ring with Baltimore in 2013. He played in just five games last season before landing on injured reserve with an Achilles injury, but he was a solid player as recently as 2013, when he racked up 77 tackles while starting all 16 games, and rated as the league’s No. 21 safety among 86 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). In total, Pollard has amassed almost 550 tackles during his nine-year career, while adding 12 interceptions and 11 forced fumbles.
FA Rumors: Pats, Dockett, Langford, Freeney
Let’s check in on a few Monday rumors on current free agents, as well as free-agents-to-be….
- With this afternoon’s franchise and transition tag deadline looming, the Patriots are more likely to use their tag on kicker Stephen Gostkowski than safety Devin McCourty, sources tell Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston. Reiss cautions that the situation is “fluid” and that things could change by 3:00pm central time. However, if the Pats do decide to trade Gostkowski, it would mean McCourty could potentially hit the open market next week, as far and away the best safety available. It would be surprising if the Pats let McCourty get away, but that would at least seem to bode well for the return of Darrelle Revis.
- According to agent Drew Rosenhaus, free agent defensive lineman Darnell Dockett is generating “a lot of interest” on the free agent market, writes Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic. Rosenhaus is expecting Dockett to have a new home by the end of the week. As for the Cardinals, who released Dockett last week, they’re still hoping to bring the veteran defender back — Somers reports that they’ve offered a one-year deal worth up to $4MM through incentives, with a base value of $2.5MM.
- Former Rams defensive tackle Kendall Langford, cut by St. Louis last week, is visiting the Lions today, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). It’s an interesting tidbit of news, as Detroit attempts to lock up its own free agent defensive tackles, such as Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. For now, we should probably assume that Langford is just a Plan B, or a potential depth piece, but we heard earlier today that the team won’t franchise Suh, so there’s no guarantee he returns to Detroit.
- After mulling the possibility of retiring, veteran Chargers pass rusher Dwight Freeney has decided to continue his playing career and return for a 14th season, writes Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Freeney doesn’t have a contract for 2015, so he’ll have to find a taker, but I imagine he’ll still draw plenty of interest — despite recording only 3.5 sacks in 2014, the 35-year-old recorded 53 overall quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus’ data (subscription required).
- Linebacker Brad Jones, who was released by the Packers last month, recently visited the Titans and has a visit lined up today with the Eagles, reports Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter). Of the two veteran linebackers cut this offseason by Green Bay, A.J. Hawk received most of the headlines, but Jones is another player who could still contribute elsewhere.
Jacoby Jones Visiting Bengals, Titans
After being released by the Ravens last week, free agent wide receiver and return man Jacoby Jones has a visit lined up with one of Baltimore’s division rivals. According to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com (via Twitter), Jones is meeting with the Bengals. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports (via Twitter) that the former Raven also has a visit lined up with the Titans, and Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean tweets that the Cincinnati visit will happen today, followed by the Tennessee meeting tomorrow.
Jones, 30, returned kicks and punts for Baltimore in 2014, but his role on offense was significantly reduced — after being targeted 68 times and hauling in 37 passes in 2013, Jones received just 18 targets and caught nine passes in 2014. He also averaged 30.6 yards on 32 kickoff returns, and 9.2 yards on 30 punt returns.
Teams targeting Jones in free agency this month will likely be doing so with the intent of having him return kickoffs, and perhaps punts as well. At this point in his career, the former third-round pick likely won’t have a significant role in an offense — he’ll probably be about fourth on the depth chart for whichever he team he ultimately lands with.
James Casey Visiting Several Teams
10:02pm: Casey’s visit with the Broncos concluded without a contract, according to the Denver Post’s Mike Klis. He will move on to his other summits.
THURSDAY, 11:11am: Caplan (via Twitter) adds a few more clubs to Casey’s list of suitors, reporting that the tight end also has visits scheduled with the Jaguars, the Bengals, and Washington.
WEDNESDAY, 8:07am: After meeting with the Cardinals and Broncos, Casey will move on to visit the Titans and Browns, according to Caplan (via Twitter). Caplan adds (via Twitter) that at least eight teams have requested to have Casey in for a visit, as clubs value his positional versatility and recognize that 2015’s tight end draft class is weak.
MONDAY, 3:48pm: Tight end James Casey got a head start on the 2015 free agent market last week when the Eagles released him from his contract, and he’s taking full advantage of that. According to Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910 (Twitter link), Casey is scheduled to visit the Cardinals this week. Adam Caplan of ESPN.com confirms Jurecki’s report and adds (via Twitter) that two or three other teams would also like to bring in Casey, who is scheduled to meet with the Broncos after his sitdown with the Cards.
Casey, 30, spent the first four seasons of his career with the Texans, parlaying a solid 2012 season into a three-year, $12MM deal with the Eagles. Although he caught 34 balls during his final year in Houston, Casey wasn’t used as a pass-catcher in Philadelphia, having totaled just six receptions on nine targets in two seasons with the team. He was released last week without any discussions about taking a pay cut, and is expected to seek out a situation where he’ll have a larger role than he did with the Eagles.
In 2014, the Cardinals relied primarily on John Carlson and Rob Housler at tight end, so it makes sense that the club would target a player like Casey. Housler is eligible for unrestricted free agency next month, and Carlson didn’t have a great year — Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked him 65th out of 67 qualified TEs, grading him poorly as a pass catcher, pass blocker, and run blocker.
The Broncos would be a logical fit for Casey as well, since Julius Thomas is expected to land elsewhere as a free agent and Virgil Green‘s contract is also expiring.
Sam Robinson contributed to this report
Michael Roos Announces Retirement
One of the top offensive tackles on the free agent market has decided to retire rather than pursuing a new NFL contract. Longtime Titans offensive lineman Michael Roos announced today on Instagram that he’ll call it a career after spending 10 years as an NFL player.
“I’m excited to begin the rest of my life, and I am grateful to do so now, while I am fully healthy,” Roos wrote in a statement in which he thanked his coaches and teammates. “Although I don’t know what adventure the future holds, I know there will be family, friends, travel, whiskey, cigars and beer. All a man can ask for, and more. Thank you Titans fans for your support all these years.”
Roos, 32, was remarkably durable during his time with the Titans until a knee injury prematurely ended his final season in the team this past October. Prior to this season, the former second-round pick had started all but one game over the course of nine years in Tennessee, almost exclusively at left tackle.
Since the end of the regular season, the Titans have now seen their two highest-paid tackles leave the team — in addition to Roos retiring, Michael Oher was cut by the club earlier this month. While the position figures to be an area Tennessee will target in either free agency or the draft, the team does have an in-house replacement for Roos lined up, as last year’s first-round pick Taylor Lewan, looks like a good bet to become the Titans’ permanent left tackle.
Titans Notes: Morgan, Taylor, LeBeau
Here’s a look at the Titans..
- Titans linebacker Derrick Morgan says he hasn’t had any serious talks with the team so far about returning, Wyatt writes. Morgan recently changed agents going from Ben Dogra to Joby Branion and one assumes that his new rep will be discussing a new deal with the Titans before long. Morgan probably stands as the Titans’ most important free agent this offseason.
- Cornerback Ike Taylor believes defensive coach Dick LeBeau could lure Steelers players to the Titans, as Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean writes. “Coach LeBeau recruits himself. He is like Coach K (Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski); you know what you are getting yourself into,’’ said Taylor. “You don’t have to ask the veteran guys who have played under him. Just say Coach LeBeau wants you to come, and they’d say: “What time? That’s the way people feel about him.” James Harrison, who will hold off on retirement, could be a possibility as well as fellow Steelers linebacker Jason Worilds.
- Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com isn’t sure what the power breakdown in the Titans’ front office is like right now.
AFC South Notes: Morgan, Colts, Titans
A quick look at the AFC South..
- On the verge of free agency, Titans outside linebacker Derrick Morgan has parted ways with long-time agent Ben Dogra, according to Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com (on Twitter). The former No. 16 overall pick has posted just 23.5 sacks in his five seasons as a pro but he stands as one of the Titans’ most important free agents this offseason after grading out as the eighth-best 3-4 outside linebacker according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
- Following the release of Ricky Jean-Francois by the Colts, agent Drew Rosenhaus tells Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star that he expects his client to have a “healthy market” in free agency, and wouldn’t rule out a return to Indianapolis at a reduced salary.
- The Titans‘ decision on whether to take a quarterback will be the draft’s first pivot point, Field Yates of ESPN.com writes (Insider subscription required). The Titans could pluck whichever quarterback isn’t selected by the Bucs at No. 1, but they could also roll with Zach Mettenberger and take someone like USC’s Leonard Williams, praised by many evaluators as the best pure football player in this year’s class.