AFC Notes: Titans, Dolphins, Ravens, Steelers
Let’s take a look at some rumblings from around the AFC to wrap up this Thursday night…
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The Titans hope to keep linebacker Kamerion Wimbley but are apprehensive about his high salary, tweets Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com.
- The current quandary between the Titans and Chris Johnson is similar to what the team went through with Steve McNair in 2006, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. That offseason, the team attempted to trade their quarterback but couldn’t find any suitors. McNair “forced” the issue by showing up for offseason workouts, which the Titans prevented him from attending. McNair filed a grievance, which he eventually won.
- Since the Dolphins don’t have to pay a franchise quarterback, the team is currently in “the golden years” with their cap, tweets James Walker of ESPN. As Walker points out, they’ll eventually have to pay someone at the position (whether it’s Ryan Tannehill or somebody else). As a result, this is the time to take advantage of the flexibility (via Twitter).
- If the Ravens were to address two more positions in free agency, it would likely be tight end and a backup defensive lineman, writes Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. Hensley suggests that the tight end could be Ed Dickson on a cheap deal.
- Wide receiver is one of the Steelers‘ biggest needs, opines Scott Brown of ESPN.com, and the team will likely add to their depth via the draft. Brown adds that the team could consider reuniting with Plaxico Burress, but also adds that he can’t see the team adding another veteran wideout after inking Lance Moore to a deal.
Draft Notes: Manziel, Barr, Bucannon, Webster
As mentioned earlier today, the Browns were one of only two teams that weren’t in attendance for Texas A&M’s (or, realistically, Johnny Manziel‘s) Pro Day. This is interesting, considering the team has the No. 4 pick in this year’s draft and has been seeking a franchise quarterback for a very long time. Among those that believe the team will snag a quarterback in the first round is Brown’s wide receiver Josh Gordon. The All-Pro talent said that he was “pretty sure” that his team would select a quarterback, but Gordon did not initially mention Johnny Football. According to Pat McManamon of ESPN.com, the receiver instead brought up former UCF quarterback Blake Bortles or Louisville junior Teddy Bridgewater. Of course, Gordon eventually added Manziel to his list, saying the former Heisman winner would “seem to be the top guy on (his) list right now.”
A couple of other notes regarding some NFL prospects…
- Former UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr will meet with the Cowboys, Falcons, Titans and Vikings, according to Ross Jones of FoxSports.com. The meeting with the Falcons is scheduled for this Saturday.
- All-American safety Deone Bucannon will visit the Ravens today and tomorrow, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The former Washington State Cougar would fit in nicely with a secondary that just lost veteran James Ihedigbo to the Lions.
- Bloomsburg defender Larry Webster has a busy week ahead of him, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (via Twitter). Webster has a visit and workout scheduled with the Lions, a workout scheduled with the Panthers, and visits set up with the Cardinals and Buccaneers.
Titans, Shaun Phillips Agree To Two-Year Deal
Veteran free agent Shaun Phillips has reached an agreement with the Titans on a two-year deal worth up to $6MM, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The contract includes $2.5MM in guaranteed money, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com had reported earlier today that Phillips was visiting the team.
Phillips, who turns 33 in May, played nine seasons for the Chargers before joining the Broncos last season. Although he had a solid season in Denver, recording 10 sacks and ranking 18th among 52 qualified 4-3 defensive ends according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), his departure appeared likely after the team brought DeMarcus Ware aboard earlier this month.
After playing outside linebacker in the Chargers’ 3-4 scheme, Phillips transitioned to a defensive end role in the Broncos’ 4-3 defense last season. As such, he has the flexibility to shift around a little – if needed – in the Titans’ system, led by new defensive coordinator Ray Horton.
AFC Notes: Titans, Dolphins, Browns, Steelers
Reports of free agents visiting teams have slowed down considerably over the last couple weeks, but the Titans are on of the clubs staying busy as they weigh options at several positions. The team brought offensive lineman Mike McGlynn in this week, and is also hosting former Charger and Bronco Shaun Phillips today, according to Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Phillips will turn 33 in May, so his best years are probably behind him, but he’s coming off a 10-sack season, and could still be an asset for a defense, particularly if the price isn’t prohibitive.
As Phillips visits the Titans, let’s check out a few more items from around the AFC….
- The Dolphins still haven’t ruled out the possibility of re-signing Bryant McKinnie to play right tackle, though a signing likely wouldn’t happen until after the draft, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- New GM Ray Farmer and the Browns haven’t tipped their hand when it comes to the fourth overall pick, but wide receiver Josh Gordon thinks the club will use the selection on a quarterback, as he said on SportsCenter today (link via Pat McManamon of ESPN.com). Gordon also suggested that Johnny Manziel would probably be the top signal-caller on his personal draft board.
- The Steelers will probably need to create some cap space if they hope to sign Maurice Jones-Drew or LeGarrette Blount, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who suggests that restructuring Lawrence Timmons‘ contract could do the trick.
- Joel Corry of CBSSports.com explores whether the Broncos have mortgaged their future by going all-in on free agency this offseason. Corry concludes that most of Denver’s big contracts are flexible enough that the team may not be in bad shape long-term.
- The Bills have officially named their seven representatives for a committee that will explore the possibility of building a new stadium in the area, writes Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. Erie County previously appointed seven members to the group, and New York State added five.
- Indiana running back Stephen Houston worked out for nearly an hour with Patriots running back Ivan Fears today, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net.
Contract Details: Schaub, Allen, Ihedigbo
Matt Schaub‘s reworked deal with the Raiders includes pay cuts in both 2014 and 2015, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link), who identifies Schaub’s new cap numbers as $8MM (2014) and $5.5MM (2015). The contract now includes $3MM in performance-based incentives in both 2014 and 2015, but the 2016 season has been totally removed, according to Pelissero (Twitter links). Jason Fitzgerald breaks down the new-look deal in chart form at OverTheCap.com.
Here are a few more contract details from around the NFL:
- Jared Allen‘s deal with the Bears includes guaranteed base salaries of $3MM in 2014 and $1MM for 2015, with an $11.5MM ’15 roster bonus guaranteed for skill and injury, says Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter links). As Breer notes, the $8.5MM and $8MM salaries for 2016 and 2017 essentially amount to team options, and if Allen posts 12+ sacks in any season between 2014 and 2016, the final year of the contract voids.
- According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter links), James Ihedigbo‘s two-year pact with the Lions functions more like a one-year deal, with a roster bonus decision due in March 2015. The contract, which will be worth $3.15MM ($750K guaranteed) over two years, would see the safety earn $1.525MM in 2014 and $1.625MM in 2015, if he sticks.
- Paul McQuistan‘s two-year, $3MM contract with the Browns features annual base salaries of $855K (2014) and $1.395MM (2015), with up to $1MM per year in incentives, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- Wilson tweets that Marc Mariani‘s one-year deal with the Titans is a minimum salary contract, with an extra $40K workout bonus. It also features a split salary as an IR precaution for the oft-injured receiver.
Eagles Favorites To Sign Mark Sanchez
WEDNESDAY, 9:20pm: Sanchez is in Philadelphia to meet with the Eagles and a deal could be done soon, tweets Brian Costello of the New York Post. The Eagles are putting the quartberack through a physical with an eye on his injured shoulder.
MONDAY, 4:23pm: While the Eagles are in the lead to sign Sanchez, it’s “not a lock,” a source tells Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Mehta adds the Browns and Titans to the list of teams that have expressed some interest, and says the Giants probably aren’t a serious candidate for Sanchez, despite having some interest.
4:05pm: As expected, Mortensen clarifies (via Twitter) that the Eagles will at least have to do their own medical evaluation of Sanchez before signing him. As Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets, the Eagles look like the frontrunners for the ex-Jet, but there are still a few hurdles to clear.
3:59pm: Mark Sanchez received a “failed physical” designation when he was officially released by the Jets, but his recovery from shoulder surgery is going well, and it won’t stop him from signing with a new team, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. While it’s not entirely clear if he’s reporting that Sanchez already has an agreement in place, Mortensen at least suggests (via Twitter) that the veteran quarterback figures to land with the Eagles now that he’s a free agent.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com indicates (via Twitter) that it’s not quite a done deal yet, writing that the Eagles will take a “hard look” at Sanchez and his medicals, and may sign him. In a second tweet, Rapoport adds that the Giants and other teams should join the Eagles in the hunt for Sanchez. Earlier today, we heard that the Rams also have some interest in the 27-year-old.
Sanchez, a former fifth overall pick, spent four seasons as the Jets’ full-time starter before giving way to Geno Smith in 2013. After setting career-highs with a 56.7% completion percentage, 3,474 passing yards, and 26 passing TDs in 2011, Sanchez regressed in 2012, with those numbers dipping to 54.3%, 2,883, and 13, respectively.
If he officially signs in Philadelphia, Sanchez would be replacing the man that replaced him in New York, taking over Michael Vick‘s role as the Eagles’ No. 2 quarterback behind Nick Foles.
AFC Notes: Jets, Broncos, Blount, MJD, Titans
In addition to the Seahawks and Cowboys, the Jets may also have been in on Jared Allen before he agreed to sign with the Bears, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. According to Schefter, head coach Rex Ryan spoke to the veteran defensive end last week, and the Jets wanted to get involved in the bidding, though it’s not clear how serious the interest was from Allen’s end. As New York continues to search for upgrades in free agency, let’s check in on a few more AFC teams….
- Unsurprisingly, the Broncos are expected to exercise their fifth-year option for 2015 on defensive standout Von Miller, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. The option, available for 2011 first-round picks, would pay Miller a little less than $10MM in ’15.
- The running back market is coming into focus, says Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter links). According to La Canfora, LeGarrette Blount, who is still receiving interest from the Patriots, will visit with the Steelers later this week. Pittsburgh is still considering Maurice Jones-Drew as well, though not at his original $3.5MM-per-year asking price.
- Free agent offensive lineman Mike McGlynn, who has met with the Redskins and Rams since the start of free agency, is scheduled to visit the Titans tonight and tomorrow, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.
- The Raiders have added several players over age 30 in free agency, but GM Reggie McKenzie doesn’t view those players as stop-gap solutions. McKenzie told Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle that he wanted to bring in immediate contributors to show the team’s young players the Raiders are serious about winning.
- Colts GM Ryan Grigson said today that his team preferred its in-house options at center to the free agents available at the position, as Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star details. That’s not to say that no free agent center would have been an upgrade, but given the potential cost, Grigson didn’t feel a move would be worth it.
- Offensive line and wide receiver will be areas of focus for the Jaguars in the draft, writes Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union.
- R.J. Stanford‘s new one-year deal with the Bengals includes a $730K base salary, a $50K signing bonus, and a $25K workout bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
AFC Notes: Titans, Browner, Clowney, Chiefs
The Eagles are considered the favorites to land Mark Sanchez, and it’s hard to determine which other teams may be a threat to Philadelphia for the signal-caller. The Seahawks have been ruled out as a destination, and reported interest from the Rams and Giants has been significantly downplayed. Now, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com suggests that another rumored suitor isn’t seriously in the mix, tweeting that the Titans don’t have interest in bringing Sanchez aboard. As we wait to see where the former Jet lands, let’s check out a few more notes from around the AFC….
- Chris Johnson‘s future with the Titans remains in limbo, as Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean writes.
- In a series of four tweets, Tom Pelissero of USA Today explains how Brandon Browner‘s contract with the Patriots works, complete with financial specifics.
- Field Yates of ESPN Boston (Twitter link) has the details on the playing-time incentives in Michael Vick‘s new deal with the Jets. As Yates outlines, Vick can earn bonuses up to $1MM depending on whether he appears in 50% ($100K), 60% ($300K), 70% ($550K), 80% ($900K), or 90% ($1MM) of the Jets’ snaps.
- Texans head coach Bill O’Brien plans to attend Jadeveon Clowney‘s Pro Day next week, and is looking forward to continuing the “good talk” he had with Clowney at the combine, tweets James Palmer of CSNHouston.com.
- Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed that he spoke to free agent receiver Jason Avant, but suggested there’s nothing there when it comes to the team’s interest in the former Eagle. Reid instead hinted that he and Avant may work together down the road, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter links).
- Chris Owens‘ one-year contract with the Chiefs is worth $800K, which includes a $730K base salary and a $70K workout bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. $80K of Owens’ base salary is guaranteed.
- Fullback Jamize Olawale has signed his exclusive rights tender to remain with the Raiders, the team announced today (Twitter link).
Rams Favorites To Sign Kenny Britt?
Free agent wide receiver Kenny Britt appears to be narrowing down his options, and Rams GM Les Snead believes Britt will ultimately decide on St. Louis. In an interview with Pro Football Talk, Snead pegged his team’s chances of signing Britt at “better than 50%.”
Although a number of Titans players have been linked to St. Louis, where former Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher is now working, the Rams aren’t the only team in the mix for Britt. The wide receiver has also visited the Redskins, Bills, and Patriots, and has drawn interest from the Seahawks and Panthers, as we heard earlier this week.
Pats owner Robert Kraft said New England won’t be signing Britt, and Titans GM Ruston Webster confirmed to PFT’s Mike Florio that the 25-year-old won’t be back in Tennessee. However, that still leaves the Redskins and Bills as potential threats to the Rams. It’s not clear whether there’s serious mutual interest between Britt and the Seahawks or Panthers.
Britt, a former first-round pick, has seen his first few NFL seasons frequently derailed by injuries and off-field issues, but still has plenty of upside. In 2010, arguably his best season, he racked up 775 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in just 12 contests.
AFC Notes: Jets, Steelers, Dalton, Dolphins
New York head coach Rex Ryan indicated today that the Jets aren’t done adding players at wide receiver. However, as Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post tweets, that doesn’t necessarily mean the club will add another impact player.
“[It] might be a sixth-round pick and not the move you want, but we’re not done,” Ryan said.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- The Steelers, who have been linked to Maurice Jones-Drew and LeGarrette Blount, will likely have a deal with an experienced running back by the end of the week, tweets Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Head coach Mike Tomlin said this morning in Orlando that the team expected to add running back depth in the not-so-distant future.
- Asked multiple times this morning about Andy Dalton, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis was unequivocal in his support of the quarterback, suggesting he’d like to see Dalton locked up sooner rather than later, writes Paul Dehner Jr. of Cincinnati.com. In Lewis’ view, leaving the situation hanging over Dalton when camp opens could create an unnecessary distraction.
- Speaking to reporters, including James Walker of ESPN.com (Twitter link), Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey said today that Miami has spoken to the agent for free agent tight end Dustin Keller.
- The Broncos haven’t closed the door on the possibility of bringing back running back Knowshon Moreno or defensive end Shaun Phillips, according to GM John Elway (link via Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com).
- Jaguars owner Shad Khan supported his club’s decision to spread out its free agent spending among multiple positions and players this offseason rather than focusing on a couple significant expenditures. Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union has the details and quotes from Khan.
- Linebacker remains an area of focus for the Titans, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, who says (via Twitter) the team is conducting a private workout with Louisville’s Preston Brown today. Kentucky linebacker Avery Williamson is also scheduled to have a pre-draft visit with the Titans, tweets Wyatt.