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.
Titans Agree to Terms With Al Woods
7:18pm: Woods’ deal with the Titans is for two years and $5MM, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter).
6:38pm: The Titans are agreeing to terms with Woods, tweets Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Details of the deal are not yet known.
1:22pm: Updating his earlier report, Bouchette now hears that Woods’ deal with the Titans may not be done after all (Twitter link). Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean says (via Twitter) that it looks like Woods is still scheduled to meet the Packers and Cardinals later this week.
1:11pm: The Titans have signed Al Woods, a source tells Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (on Twitter). The former Steelers nose tackle visited Tennessee today and the two sides wasted little time in hammering out a deal.
The 6’4″, 307 pound lineman saw time in all 16 games last season (including two starts) and registered 2.0 sacks. Pittsburgh had interest in retaining Woods but they’ll have to look elsewhere to fill a sizable gap on the defensive line. Woods, a former fourth round pick of the Saints, will now join the fourth NFL team in his professional career.
Contract Details: McCluster, Bradshaw, Cassell
The latest contract details from around the NFL..
- Dexter McCluster‘s three-year deal with the Titans gets him $7.35MM guaranteed with a $3MM bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. While he can earn $12MM over those three years through incentives, it’s valued closer to $9MM, tweets Jim Wyatt of The Tennesseean. The base salaries are as follows: $1MM, $2.35MM, and $2.275MM (link).
- Ahmad Bradshaw‘s deal with the Colts is a minimum salary benefit contract, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. The tailback gets an $855K base which counts as $695K against cap. The deal also has an injury split.
- Jacoby Jones‘ four-year deal with the Ravens has a base value of $12MM and a max value of $14MM, tweets Wilson. The wide receiver has a $2MM incentive clause for catches and $4.5MM guaranteed.
- Matt Cassel gets a $3MM roster bonus Monday and a $2.65M base in 2014 in his new two-year, $10.5MM pact with the Vikings, tweets Pelissero. In 2015, it’s a $4.15MM base with a $500K roster bonus due in March. There’s also $100K without the bonus each year. He also has an injury waiver.
- In Linval Joseph‘s five-year, $31.25MM deal with the Vikings, he gets $12.5MM guaranteed with a $3MM signing bonus, tweets Wilson.
- Jon Asamoah‘s deal with the Falcons is a five-year, $22.5MM deal with $8MM guaranteed, Pelissero tweets. The total includes $500K in per-game roster bonuses each year.
- T.J. Ward‘s deal with the Broncos is a four-year, $22.5MM pact with $7MM due in the first year, tweets Pelissero. Another $6.5MM is guaranteed for injury only in 2015.
- DeMarcus Ware‘s three-year, $30MM deal with the Broncos is front-loaded, with $13MM due in 2014 and $23M after 2015, tweets Joel Corry of CBSSports. Ware’s cap numbers are: $9.6MM, $11.6MM and $8.6MM for 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively, adds Corry (via Twitter).
- Austin Howard‘s five-year, $30MM deal with the Raiders has $11.8MM guaranteed, tweets Wilson. The salaries are as follows: $2.9MM, $3.9MM, $4.4MM, $4.9MM, and $5.4MM.
AFC Rumors: Chiefs, Jordan, Raiders
The Chiefs aren’t one of the four teams that have reached out to free agent center Alex Mack, but teams are getting creative with their proposals to the Browns free agent, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. Here’s a look at the latest out of the AFC..
- Donte Whitner told reporters today, including Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter link), that he has encouraged the Browns to look into signing Ted Ginn Jr., who would like to come to Cleveland. The Bucs are hosting the speedy return man today.
- The Patriots and Vince Wilfork have discussed an extension this offseason, but an agreement isn’t close, tweets Albert Breer of NFL Network. Talks aren’t active at the moment, but could pick up again as the Pats need additional room (link). Adrian Wilson could also potentially be cut for cap savings.
- Linebacker Dekoda Watson says he had interest from nine-ten other teams before he signed with the Jaguars, tweets John Oehser of Jaguars.com. The Bills, Patriots, 49ers, and Browns were among the interested clubs.
- Chiefs free agent linebacker Akeem Jordan is scheduled to visit the Titans on Monday, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). We heard earlier this week that Jordan has interest from half a dozen teams.
- The Falcons and Raiders had interest in Linval Joseph before he signed with the Vikings, tweets Ben Goessling of ESPN. Ultimately, neither club came close to Minnesota’s offer.
- Chris Clemons‘ first visit will be to the Jaguars, tweets Terry Blount of ESPN. The Seahawks recently released the veteran defensive end.
Titans Release David Stewart
The Titans have released offensive tackle David Stewart, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter). The move had been expected, as the team is able to clear Stewart’s entire $6.4MM cap number for 2014 from its books by cutting him.
Stewart, who turns 32 this summer, battled leg and shoulder injuries toward the end of the 2013 season, and was released with the “failed physical” designation, according to Wyatt (Twitter link). If he can get healthy for 2014, he still has the ability to be a positive contributor — in 813 offensive snaps last season, Stewart recorded a +2.8 grade, according to Pro Football Focus. However, Wyatt expects the longtime Texan to retire (Twitter link).
Titans Rumors: FA Visits, Hatcher, Woodley
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:
- Defensive tackle Jason Hatcher, who is reportedly drawing interest from at least five teams, is expected to meet with the Titans later in the week, according to Wyatt (via Twitter).
- The Titans have some level of interest in free agent linebacker LaMarr Woodley, tweets Wyatt. The ex-Steeler is visiting the Raiders today.
- Tennessee remains interested in linebackeer Jameel McClain and edge defender Shaun Phillips, according to Wyatt (via Twitter), who first reported earlier in the week that the two players were on the team’s radar.
Titans Rumors: Woods, Woodyard, Verner
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).
FA Rumors: McCown, Allen, Mack, Hatcher
Josh McCown‘s first free agent visit, which is already underway, is with the Buccaneers, and the free agent quarterback and also meetings scheduled with the Texans and Jets, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he doesn’t make it to all his scheduled visits, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). Both La Canfora and Mehta suggest that a deal with the Bucs looks very possible for McCown. Here’s more on free agency:
- Defensive end Jared Allen has narrowed down his free agent options, but may not sign all that quickly, says Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter). Meanwhile, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that the Broncos are interested in Allen, but perhaps not at his current asking price. There also may not be any other serious suitors involved at that price, says Florio.
- The transition tag hasn’t stopped teams from contacting center Alex Mack, according to Mike Garafolo of USA Today (via Twitter). However, Garafalo adds that the Browns free agent center has yet to set up any visits with clubs.
- Defensive end Antonio Smith would like to stay with the Texans, but has visits lined up with the Redskins, Titans, Rams, and Raiders, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
- Jason Hatcher‘s visit with the Seahawks is the first of five meetings he has scheduled, tweets Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.
- Offensive lineman Rich Ohrnberger is drawing interest as a potential starting guard or center, says Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).
- Free agent running back Anthony Dixon will visit with the Titans, says Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Titans Re-Sign Leon Washington
Running back and return specialist Leon Washington will return to the Titans on a one-year deal, reports Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean (via Twitter).
The eight-year veteran played two games in 2013 for the Patriots, then was released in November. The Titans quickly picked him up, and he played in their final five regular season contests. Washington confirmed his return to The Music City with a tweet earlier this afternoon.
Titans To Sign Dexter McCluster
Dexter McCluster has reached agreement on a three-year pact with the Titans, league sources tell ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). The former Chief will earn a maximum of $12MM, including $4.5MM in guaranteed money, on the deal, according to Schefter (via Twitter).
McCluster had interest from four or five suitors leading up to the official start of free agency. The 49ers were among the clubs believed to have interest but he’ll instead be joining Tennessee for 2014.