AFC South Notes: Texans, Titans, Colts
By trading Matt Schaub to the Raiders, the Texans have even more incentive to take a quarterback with the top pick in the draft, writes Marc Sessler of NFL.com. Ryan Fitzpatrick is not expected to be the answer at quarterback for the team, writes John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. Bryan Fischer of NFL.com writes that NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s mock draft has the Texans taking Blake Bortles out of UCF with the first-overall pick.
Here are some more notes from around the AFC South:
- The Titans still have two areas of need on their roster, writes Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. The team needs to find a pass rusher and a running back, assuming Chris Johnson is traded or released.
- Even with the release of Rob Bironas, Kuharsky does not expect the Titans to target a kicker in the draft. It is more likely the team brings in an undrafted free agent or a veteran to compete with Maikon Bonani for the job.
- The Colts will most likely target the best player available in the draft, writes Mike Wells of ESPN.com. However, general manager Ryan Grigson does tend to prefer certain positions. “You want to continue to infuse the team with draft picks and young players that can grow together and be great together,” Grigson said. “With that being said, yes, you can never have enough corners, you can never have enough pass-rushers and you can never have enough linemen.
Extra Points: Hali, Penn, Prospect Visits
Chiefs‘ pass rusher Tamba Hali received a $2MM roster bonus on Thursday, assuring his place on the team in 2014, reports Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter). He credits Joel Corry of the National Football Post with first noticing. Hali was one half of the terrorizing pair of quarterback killers that helped get the Chiefs’ defense off to such a hot start (the other half being Justin Houston). He would have been tough to replace, and it would have been somewhat of a surprise had he been released for cap space.
Here are a few other notes from around the NFL:
- New Raider Donald Penn went on SiriusXM NFL Radio to discuss his tumultuous offseason, writes Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. “The way Tampa did me kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. I kind of wish they were on the schedule, but they’re not,” said Penn. “I built a great relationship there. But the way they did it at the end, it wasn’t right in my book. I’m a grown man and they could have treated me like a grown man.”
- Texas A&M receiver Mike Evans is taking an official visit with the Jets, reports Tony Pauline of Draftinsider.net (via Twitter). Evans is considered the second best receiver in the draft, and a potential top-ten pick.
- The Jets will also work out offensive tackle Kadeem Williams out of Albany, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Williams will also work out for the Giants.
- Vanderbilt’s Jordan Matthews went on SiriusXM NFL Radio to discuss teams interested in the wide receiving talent, reports Alex Marvez of Fox Sports 1. Matthews announced he will have pre-draft visits with both the Titans and Panthers.
Draft Rumors: Bishop, Webster, Archer, Carr
Northern Illinois defensive tackle Ken Bishop is set to work out for the Dolphins, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Bishop, an All-Mid-American conference selection projected as a later-round draft pick, had 59 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, and an interception last season. Here’s the latest draft news..
- The Lions are hosting defensive end Larry Webster for a pre-draft visit today, tweets Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. Webster, who stands at 6’6″, 252 pounds, had 12.5 sacks for Bloomsburg University in 2013 and boasts a 4.58 second 40-yard-dash time.
- Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon-Journal (on Twitter) spoke with Kent State running back Dri Archer, who says that he has workouts scheduled with the Dolphins, Patriots, Cardinals, and Colts.
- Fresno State standout quarterback Derek Carr has met with Raiders, Titans, Vikings, and Browns since last night, tweets Marek Warszawski of the Fresno Bee (on Twitter).
- Stanford safety Ed Reynolds has meetings scheduled with the Lions and Falcons, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter). Reynolds has a 38-inch vertical jump and ran a 4.41 second 40-yard-dash earlier today at his pro day.
- The Giants will work out Maine outside linebacker/defensive end Michael Cole on April 10th, a league source tells Aaron Wilson. Cole had eight sacks last season and finished his career with 29 sacks, making him the all-time sack leader for the Black Bears.
- One scouting director gave Albert Breer of NFL Network (Twitter link) a rundown of what he was looking for from Michael Sam today at the linebacker’s Pro Day. “He needs to show good movement in linebacker drills — Bend quickness and good feet and quickness in pass rush drills. Hopefully he is staying in good shape and not letting that go.”
AFC Notes: Jets, Contract Details, Titans
We heard on Tuesday, shortly after the Giants had officially signed Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, that the Jets had increased their offer at the 11th hour in an effort to land the free agent cornerback. In his latest piece for TheMMQB.com, former NFL exec Andrew Brandt offers some additional insight on that story, suggesting that the Jets’ initial offer had a one-year, $6MM structure, with options beyond that for future seasons. When it became clear that the Giants were closing in on a deal, GM John Idzik, attending Teddy Bridgewater‘s Pro Day, scrambled to change the structure of the Jets’ offer, but it was too late by that point.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- Paul Kuharsky of ESPN (Twitter links) has the goods on Charlie Whitehurst‘s two-year deal with the Titans. The quarterback gets a $1MM signing bonus, a $1MM guaranteed base, a $250K roster bonus on the fifth day of the 2015 league year, and a $2.25MM base in ’15. In short, the Titans can get out of the deal after 2014 without much penalty.
- Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter) reports that nose tackle Jerrell Powe gets a $645K split salary from the Texans on his one-year deal.
- The Titans, who cut kicker Rob Bironas yesterday, called Old Dominion kicker Jarod Brown, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The 49ers and Colts also worked Brown out at his Pro Day.
- Offensive tackle Donald Penn says reuniting with former Bucs assistant Greg Olson was a big factor in his decision to signing with the Raiders, tweets Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle.
- Although Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com reported yesterday that the Jets had reworked Mike Goodson‘s contract to clear his 2014 roster bonus from the team’s cap, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News says (via Twitter) says that actually happened at the start of the 2013 season.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Titans To Re-Sign Mookie Johnson
WEDNESDAY, 4:57pm: Johnson’s two-year deal is worth $2.35MM, with a modest $175K signing bonus, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, who adds a couple more contract details via Twitter.
TUESDAY, 6:16pm: The Titans have agreed to re-sign defensive tackle Antonio “Mookie” Johnson to a two-year deal, tweets Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. It was a priority for Tennessee to lock Johnson down for 2014 and beyond and it sounds like they’ve accomplished that tonight.
Johnson, 29, was originally drafted by the Titans in the fifth round of the 2007 draft but things didn’t work out due to injuries. Last spring, Johnson signed with the Titans, reuniting him with the organization. In 16 games (six starts) last season, Johnson recorded 15 tackles and a career-high three sacks.
Marc Mariani, Titans Agree To One-Year Deal
The Titans have agreed to terms with wide receiver and return man Marc Mariani on a one-year contract, the team announced today in a press release.
Mariani, 26, missed the entire 2012 season after breaking the tibula and fibula in his left leg and spent the entire 2013 season on Tennessee’s injured reserve after suffering a shoulder injury in training camp. Still, he flashed plenty of promise during his first two seasons with the club, returning two punts and one kick for touchdowns in 2010 and 2011. During his rookie season in ’10, he earned a Pro Bowl spot as a return specialist.
The Chargers hosted Mariani for a visit this week, but the Titans had always maintained interest in bringing him back. Still, it’s not clear what Mariani’s role on the 2014 roster will be, with return men Dexter McCluster and Leon Washington also under contract.
Michael Vick Rumors: Wednesday
A pair of reports shortly after free agency opened last week suggested that Michael Vick intended to be patient with the process, perhaps even waiting until after May’s draft to sign with a team. However, it appears now that the veteran signal-caller will make his decision sooner than that. Here’s the latest on Vick, arguably the top quarterback remaining on the market:
- Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean doesn’t think Vick is an option for the Titans, as he expresses pretty strongly in a tweet.
- Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link) confirms that Vick’s visit with the Jets will happen on Friday. According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter), Vick seems to fit the bill of what the Jets brass is looking for in a No. 2 quarterback: A veteran that can push Geno Smith and is capable of winning games when called upon.
Earlier updates:
- Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News (Twitter link) is getting the impression that Vick may not be exclusively seeking a starting job anymore.
- Vick plans to visit the Jets this weekend, a source tells Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com. It will be his first visit, and if all goes well, it may end up being his last, as Shorr-Parks writes. The Jets may face some pressure to land a free agent after missing out on several other targets, while Vick may not be handed the starting job he seeks in New York, but would probably have a chance to compete with Geno Smith.
- According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, there are indications that Vick may be moving toward making a decision. The Vikings, Jaguars, and Buccaneers are likely no longer options for Vick, having signed veteran QBs of their own. But the Jets and Bills, as well as teams with potential injury concerns like the Panthers, could be in the mix. Florio also identifies the Titans as a potential dark horse, with Jake Locker still recovering from foot surgery.
Titans Release Rob Bironas
12:28pm: The Titans have confirmed Bironas’ release (via Twitter).
12:18pm: The Titans will be releasing veteran kicker Rob Bironas today, reports Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter). According to Wyatt (via Twitter), the club wants to get younger at the position and create competition. Maikon Bonani, who signed a futures contract with the team at the end of the regular season, is among the candidates in the mix for the 2014 job.
Bironas, 36, converted 25 of 29 field goals for the Titans in 2013, along with all 41 of his extra-point tries. However, Wyatt suggests (via Twitter) that the team was concerned with his declining performance on kickoffs. Bironas’ $3.875MM cap number probably played a significant part in the decision as well, as Tennessee can reduce to that figure to just 750K in dead money by cutting him.
The longtime Titan, who racked up 1,032 points during his nine seasons with the franchise, will join an underwhelming group of free agent kickers that also includes David Akers, Rian Lindell, and Lawrence Tynes.
Contract Details: DRC, Hauschka, Edelman
We’ve got plenty more contract details to round up, so let’s dive right in….
- Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun and Albert Breer of the NFL Network pass along several key details on Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie‘s contract with the Giants, which seems to include $12MM in fully guaranteed money, and a little more in salary guaranteed for injury only. Here are the relevant Twitter links to read up on all the specifics.
- Wilson also shares the specifics on Steven Hauschka‘s three-year contract with the Seahawks (Twitter link), Walter Thurmond‘s one-year deal with the Giants (Twitter link), and Dane Fletcher‘s one-year deal with the Bucs (Twitter link).
- Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com has been doing a great job all week getting finalized contract details up in his database, and he passed along several new entries today. Among them: The Raiders‘ two-year deals for LaMarr Woodley and Justin Tuck, the Eagles‘ extension for Darren Sproles, and the Saints‘ five-year pact with Zach Strief.
- Julian Edelman received a $5MM signing bonus from the Patriots on his new contract, tweets Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.
- John Keim of ESPN.com has the details on Santana Moss‘ minimum salary benefit contract and Clifton Geathers‘ two-year deal with the Redskins.
- Although Michael Oher‘s four-year deal with the Titans was initially reported as including $9.5MM in guaranteed money, it’s actually a little less than that, and only $6MM is fully guaranteed, with another $3.35MM guaranteed for injury only. Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com has the details.
- Emmanuel Sanders‘ three-year, $15MM contract with the Broncos features $6MM in guaranteed money and cap hits of $6MM (2014), $4MM (2015), and $5MM (2016), tweets Albert Breer of the NFL Network.
- Updating his earlier report on Charles Tillman‘s contract with the Bears, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets that the deal includes $150K in performance incentives (based on total interceptions), so it could max out at $3.4MM instead of $3.25MM.
- Frank Zombo‘s two-year deal with the Chiefs is worth $1.6MM and includes a $100K signing bonus, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. A minimum-salary deal for Zombo with a $100K bonus would work out to $1.575MM, so either that $1.6MM figure is rounded up, or the linebacker received slightly more than the minimum.
Free Agency Notes: Visits, Jaguars, Patriots
A couple of notes from around the NFL to distract on this Selection Sunday…
- Defensive end Alex Carrington will be visiting the Raiders and the Rams, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
- The Steelers will host receiver Lance Moore on Tuesday, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Moore was released by the Saints more than a week ago.
- The Jaguars still need to add an offensive lineman and are looking for depth at receiver, writes Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com.
- Having lost both Dane Fletcher and Brandon Spikes, the Patriots depth at linebacker is getting thin, opines Field Yates of ESPNBoston.com. Jerod Mayo, Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower were the only linebackers on the current roster to have played more than a single defensive snap last season and because of that, Yates thinks the team should consider bringing in more depth either through the draft or free agency.
- Michael Oher‘s new contract with the Titans is “scary,” says Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. Oher signed a four-year, $20MM deal earlier this weekend.
- The Colts may need to cut a receiver after adding Hakeem Nicks, writes Mike Wells of ESPN.com. Wells believes the competition for the fifth receiver will be between Griff Whalen and LaVon Brazill.