Cowboys Notes: Romo, Draft, Free Agency
It’s going to be a busy couple of months in Dallas, as the organization looks to retain two of the top offensive free agents: receiver Dez Bryant and running back DeMarco Murray. Our own Zach Links explored the team’s offseason outlook last week, with Zach suggesting a variety of alternatives should the duo get away.
When you’re finished checking that out, take a look at some assorted notes out of Dallas…
- Considering the high level of play the Cowboys got from Tony Romo in 2014, David Moore of The Dallas News can’t envision the organization pursuing his successor in this year’s draft.
- Furthermore, Moore says it’s tough to envision a scenario where the Cowboys don’t use their first-rounder on a defensive player. The writer cautions that the team could be intrigued if a “bluechip” lineman or wideout falls to No. 27.
- Jon Machota of The Dallas News doesn’t think the team should pursue a top pass-rusher in free agency. The writer would prefer the Cowboys prioritize re-signing their own players, having a good draft, and finding some value in the free agent market.
- In a separate article, Machota shoots down the idea of trading up in the first round of the draft. The writer would not only prefer keeping the extra picks, but he’s also under the impression that whoever the Cowboys select at No. 27 wouldn’t be significantly worse that someone they select in the early-20s.
Extra Points: Bradford, Rice, Starks
The Rams introduced their new offensive coordinator, Frank Cignetti, on Friday. The most significant information that came from Cignetti’s press conference was the vote of confidence given to quarterback Sam Bradford, writes NFL.com’s Kevin Petra.
Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick in 2010, has been inconsistent and injury prone during his five-year career, with an underwhelming 79.3 passer rating and just 49 of a possible 80 regular-season appearances. Bradford missed all of last season with a torn ACL and there was some question as to whether the Rams would bring him back in 2015, the final year of his deal, but head coach Jeff Fisher and Cignetti officially put such speculation to rest.
Asked if he wanted Bradford back next season, Fisher said, “That’s correct, yes. He’s been in the building since the season ended. He’s doing well,” according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Jim Thomas.
Fisher even said Bradford’s presence influenced the promotion of Cignetti, who was previously St. Louis’ quarterbacks coach.
Bradford’s cap number for next season is a whopping $16.58MM, and Thomas wrote earlier this week that the team hopes to restructure the 27-year-old’s contract.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- Clifton Brown of CSNBaltimore.com took a look at the factors working for and against Ray Rice in his quest to return to the league after a yearlong hiatus resulting from the 28-year-old’s assault of his then-fiancée. Working in Rice’s favor, according to Brown, is that the likes of Michael Vick and Richie Incognito recently found second chances after committing serious off-the-field offenses. Conversely, one of the reasons Rice might not find much of a market is his poor 2013 performance. Rice was among the worst starting running backs in the league that year, amassing just 660 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games. His 3.1 yards-per-carry average was significantly lower than his career mark (4.3).
- Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com sees “virtually no chance” of Washington using the franchise tag on anyone this offseason. Tandler notes that the $13.75MM cost for tagging outside linebacker Brian Orakpo would be too steep, and fellow free agents-to-be Niles Paul, Roy Helu and Jarvis Jenkins aren’t candidates to be among the five highest-paid players at their respective positions. Earlier this month, our own Luke Adams covered the possibility of Washington using the franchise tag this offseason, also concluding that it was unlikely.
- Dolphins defensive lineman Randy Starks is one potential cap casualty who could make sense for the Patriots, tweets the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin. The 31-year-old Starks is scheduled to count $6MM against Miami’s cap in 2015.
FA Notes: Fairley, Cowboys, Saints, Eagles
Following news that Nick Fairley was cleared of his DUI charge, the Lions defensive tackle made it clear that he wants to stay in Detroit longterm.
“I love Detroit, to be honest,” Fairley said (via Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press). “I feel the city, the people in it. I love the atmosphere of basically the hard work that they bring. I’m just all work, and that’s definitely the vibe I get from the city, and I like it.”
The former first-rounder struggled through a knee injury in 2014, finishing with career-lows in tackles (eight) and sacks (one).
Let’s take a look at some more notes regarding this year’s free agent class…
- If the Cowboys were to let one free agent get away, Tim Cowlishaw of The Dallas Morning News believes it would be linebacker Bruce Carter. With Sean Lee and Anthony Hitchens under contract, the team has enough flexibility to let the 27-year-old go.
- The Saints re-signed kicker Shayne Graham and linebacker Parys Haralson earlier this week, and Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com tweets that the team committed a combined $90K in signing bonuses to the duo. With both players’ cap hits being worth an estimated $585K, Woodbery concludes that the team ultimately spent $1.26MM on the two players.
- The Eagles need to have a strategy to improve their secondary heading into this offseason, writes Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com. The writer believes the team will move on from defensive backs Bradley Fletcher and Nate Allen, and he also mentions that the team could decide to cut Cary Williams and his $6.5MM salary. While the team has some in-house candidates to replace that trio, Mosher opines that the team may pursue some of the second-tier free agents, including Packers cornerback Davon House and 49ers defensive back Chris Culliver.
NFC Mailbags: Newton, Lions, McCarthy, Giants
We checked out ESPN.com’s AFC mailbags earlier this morning. Let’s now shift our focus to the NFC…
- If quarterbacks like Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco can average $20MM annually, David Newton believes Cam Newton could certainly be included in that group. Ultimately, the writer believes the Panthers quarterback will receive a contract totaling about $100MM.
- Kicker Matt Prater and defensive back Rashean Mathis want to return to the Lions next season, according to Michael Rothstein. There has been some contact between the organization and the agents for the team’s multiple free agents, but the writer cautions that nothing’s been “locked down.”
- Despite Mike McCarthy‘s interest in the personnel aspect of the league, the Packers head coach does not want to be the team’s general manager, writes Rob Demovsky. The writer says the coach’s recent shuffling of the coaching staff indicates that he’d like to get involved in other areas of coaching.
- Dan Graziano doesn’t see any incentive for the Giants to pursue Ray Rice over any other running back.
- Considering the linebacker’s age and injury history, John Keim can’t envision Washington investing too much money in Brian Orakpo. Meanwhile, the writer could see the team bringing back quarterback Colt McCoy, tight end Niles Paul, and “perhaps” running back Roy Helu and wideout Leonard Hankerson. Santana Moss is among the players Keim would be surprised to see return.
Extra Points: NFLPA, Houston, Lions, Saints
We have yet another candidate entering the field to become the NFLPA’s executive director. According to Albert Breer of NFL.com (Twitter links), NFLPA president Eric Winston sent an email to player reps today presenting five candidates for the job with Andrew Smith being added to the previous group of DeMaurice Smith, Sean Gilbert, James Acho, and John Stufflebeem. Andrew Smith took to Twitter earlier today to boast his credentials: “Next Exec Dir of the NFLPA? They had a former player, then a lawyer NOW they need the Players’ lawyer!!!” Here’s tonight’s look around the NFL..
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Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap takes a closer look at this year’s crop of free agent pass rushers in a piece for The Sporting News, placing four players in his top tier: Justin Houston, Greg Hardy, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Jerry Hughes.
- The Lions still haven’t revealed what they plan to do with Reggie Bush and the rest of their running back rotation this fall, but Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press wonders if Justin Forsett could be the answer for them. Forsett, who finished sixth in the NFL in rushing yards last year, will become an unrestricted free agent in March. The Lions are unlikely to splurge on a tailback, but coach Jim Caldwell pointed to the running game as an area that needs to improve in 2015. Forsett could be a quality addition for Detroit that won’t break the bank.
- Kicker Shayne Graham is far from standing on solid footing with the Saints despite his new deal, Larry Holder of The Times-Picayune writes. Graham will still have to duke it out with Dustin Hopkins, who was added to the taxi squad late season. Graham was pretty solid through week 13 of the 2014 campaign, nailing 17 of 18 attempts. However, he missed a kick in each of the next two games, prompting the signing of Hopkins.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Extra Points: D. Thomas, Mariota, Boyd
The Broncos are set to wield the franchise tag, if necessary, to keep Demaryius Thomas, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. Rapoport adds that there have been no talks between the team and Thomas’ camp for some time. The tag would cost Denver about $13MM and would limit the team’s options when it comes to tight end Julius Thomas. Here’s tonight’s look around the NFL…
- Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, a candidate to be picked first overall in April, has signed with Rep 1 Sports, and will be represented by agents Ryan Tollner, Bruce Tollner, and Chase Callahan, reports Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal (via Twitter). The agency also represented QB Blake Bortles in last year’s draft.
- Tajh Boyd, a former Jets sixth-round pick, had a good workout for the Lions today, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). Nonetheless, Birkett says no deal is imminent between the team and the young quarterback.
- By the time the first round of this year’s NFL draft ends, a running back or two might be among the selections, which clashes with recent history. Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon and Georgia’s Todd Gurley could lead the draft’s running back rebirth, writes Jim Corbett of USA Today Sports.
- Oklahoma’s co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery is heading to to the Packers, according to Jason Kersey of The Oklahoman. There’s no sign of any defensive coaches leaving the Packers, so it seems that Montgomery will likely be installed in a new defensive position, according to Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette (via Twitter). His position will effectively be defense quality control, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
- At OverTheCap.com, Bryce Johnston has introduced a new concept called expected contract value to attempt to more accurately assess the true value of a player’s contract.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
AFC Links: Woodson, Titans, Pats, Skrine
Let’s check out some assorted notes from around the AFC…
- Following his tenure with the Packers, veteran cornerback Charles Woodson inked a contract with the Raiders. Woodson admitted that his agent had reached out to the Lions during the 2012 offseason, but there was little interest from the franchise. “I was kind of throwing some lines out there to see where the interest was,” Woodson said (via ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein). “Most teams, coming out of Green Bay, everybody thought I was pretty much done. Washed up. Couldn’t run anymore. I heard all of the adjectives to describe me…They were one of those teams that probably thought that.”
- Michael Oher was just one of many offseason additions that didn’t work out for the Titans in 2014, writes ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky. Linebacker Wesley Woodyard lost his job to a rookie, running back Dexter McCluster made little impact offensively, defensive lineman Al Woods ultimately settled into a backup role and linebacker Shaun Phillips was cut in November.
- In a series of tweets, Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap partially attributes the Patriots cap-conscious approach to the team’s inability to keep running back Curtis Martin. The franchise’s lack of cap flexibility during the 1998 offseason had a lasting impact on the organization, and the team vowed to never be in that kind of situation again.
- Count Browns defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil among those who’d like to see defensive back Buster Skrine back with the team next season. “Buster is one of my favorite guys on the defense,” O’Neil previously said (via Kevin Jones of ClevelandBrowns.com). “He embodies ‘Play Like a Brown.’ I don’t ever want to let good players walk out the door.”
Pro Football Rumors On Social Media, RSS
The NFL’s 2014/15 season is officially in the books, ending in dramatic fashion last night when the Patriots took advantage of a questionable Seahawks play-call to prevent a touchdown and secure a 28-24 victory. While the season’s last game has been played, that means the fun at Pro Football Rumors is just getting started, as we start counting down the days until free agency and the draft.
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Patriots Win Super Bowl XLIX
The Patriots overcame a national scandal and a ten point deficit in the fourth quarter to top the Seahawks 28-24 and capture yet another Vince Lombardi trophy. Tom Brady threw for four touchdowns, including the go-ahead score to Julian Edelman, to secure his fourth Super Bowl ring. The Seahawks nearly retook the game on a wild drive, assisted by Jermaine Kearse‘s unbelievably fortunate catch. However, at the 1 yard line, the Seahawks opted to throw and Pats corner Malcolm Butler came away with Russell Wilson‘s errant pass. The Seahawks bid to repeat came up just short while the Patriots made it clear that their dynasty is far from done.
When the Patriots are done washing off the champagne and sleeping off their hangovers, they’ll turn their attention to a most pivotal offseason. The Pats hold a whopping $20MM option on cornerback Darrelle Revis that would carry a $25MM cap hit, so they’ll likely try and work out a new long-term deal with him instead. Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork and wide receiver Danny Amendola could become cap casualties in order to carve out significant cap room. Safety Devin McCourty is a possible franchise tag candidate and the Pats can also be expected to look into an extension for him.
The Seahawks, meanwhile, will start their offseason by finding a replacement for defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who is hours away from being named as the next head coach of the Falcons. Seattle has already made a “huge” extension offer to Marshawn Lynch that would allow him to plow through defenders as a member of the Seahawks for the rest of his career. Meanwhile, long-term extension talks with Wilson are expected to take place right away now that the Super Bowl is in the books. Wilson is expected to become the highest-paid player in NFL history, with Aaron Rodgers‘ $22MM AAV serving as the starting point in negotiations. Aside from those offensive stars, the Seahawks will have other high-priority players on the agenda, including cornerback Byron Maxwell, who is set to hit the open market.
After the completion of a most memorable Super Bowl, it is now officially the offseason for all 32 NFL teams. Let the madness begin.
Extra Points: Fitzgerald, Revis, Jets
A look around the league, as the Seahawks look to protect their lead in the fourth quarter..
- After winning the inaugural Art Rooney Award at the NFL Honors, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald was asked if he would be playing in Super Bowl 50 next season with the Cardinals should they make it. “In terms of next year, I have no idea what’s going to happen,” Fitzgerald said, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. “That’s still to come. But I love Arizona, I love playing for the Cardinals and I love working for the Bidwill family.” Fitzgerald is scheduled to earn $16.25MM next season, with $8MM coming as a roster bonus in early March. Fitzgerald’s cap number in 2015 will be $23.6MM, currently 16% of the Cardinals’ cap for next season.
- A lot has changed in two years and Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com believes the Jets are serious about bringing Darrelle Revis back. Owner Woody Johnson recently said that he’d love to bring the star cornerback back to New York and it was reported that they’re expected to pursue him if he hits the open market. Johnson, Cimini writes, has likely realized that fans are fed up with cautious offseasons and therefore is feeling pressure to make a splash.
- Ian Rapoport of NFL.com has more details on the investigation into the Patriots‘ deflated footballs. Some of Rapoport’s information seems to vindicate Bill Belichick and Tom Brady of wrongdoing.