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NFC Mailbags: Panthers, Saints, Packers

December 20th, 2014 at 9:53am CST by Ben Levine

We took a look at ESPN.com’s AFC mailbags earlier this morning. Let’s now focus on what the NFC writers had to say…

  • Even if the Panthers make the playoffs, David Newton wouldn’t be surprised if the organization makes some changes. The writer believes it would be difficult to let go of offensive coordinator Mike Shula (especially if the team finishes strong), but they could make a move to help improve the special teams.
  • Newton would offer Panthers offensive tackle Mike Remmers a contract extension, but he warns that the money can’t get out of hand.
  • Mike Triplett writes that the Saints may be able to retain defensive ends Cameron Jordan and Akiem Hicks at a reduced value. The duo’s subpar season will benefit New Orleans, but Triplett points out that the process is unpredictable.
  • While the Saints normally stick with a platoon at running back, Triplett says a player like Mark Ingram may be worth re-signing. As the team transitions into a new era, it may be worth the gamble to keep the veteran.
  • Rob Demovsky believes it would be a “major surprise” if the Packers didn’t re-sign Randall Cobb. While the negotiations may drag out, Demovsky says general manager Ted Thompson won’t let the wide receiver get away.
  • With the emergence of Letroy Guion on the Packers defensive line, one reader asked Demovsky about the future of B.J. Raji. The writer opines that the defensive tackle won’t have much interest coming off a missed season, and the Packers could likely snag the veteran on a cheap, one-year deal.

Pro Football Rumors Seeking Part-Time Writers

December 19th, 2014 at 10:00pm CST by Luke Adams

We’re looking to add part-time contributors to the Pro Football Rumors Rumors writing team. The position pays on an hourly basis. Applicants must meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • Exceptional knowledge of all 32 NFL teams, with no discernible bias.
  • Knowledge of the salary cap and transaction-related concepts.
  • At least some college education.
  • Extensive writing experience, with professional experience and a background in journalism both strongly preferred.
  • Keen understanding of journalistic principles, ethics and procedures. Completion of basic college-level journalism classes is strongly preferred.
  • Attention to detail — absolutely no spelling errors, especially for player and journalist names.
  • Ability to follow the site’s style and tone.
  • Ability to analyze articles and craft intelligent, well-written posts summing up the news in a few paragraphs. We need someone who can balance quick writing with thoughtful analysis. You must be able to add value to breaking news with your own insight, numbers or links to other relevant articles.
  • Ability to use an RSS feed reader. Ability to use Twitter. Both of these are crucial.
  • Strong weekend availability is crucial. You must frequently be available to work between 5-11 pm central time on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
  • Flexibility. You must be available to work on short notice.

If you’re interested, email pfrapplications@gmail.com by December 31 (11:00pm central time) and take a couple of paragraphs to explain why you qualify and stand out. Many will likely apply, so unfortunately we cannot respond to every applicant.

Pro Football Rumors On Facebook/Twitter

December 16th, 2014 at 8:51am CST by Luke Adams

The NFL’s regular season is entering its home stretch, which means the 2015 offseason is just around the corner. As the winter nears and big-name players like Dez Bryant, Ndamukong Suh, and Demaryius Thomas approach free agency, there will be plenty of notable stories to track on Pro Football Rumors, and you don’t necessarily have to keep refreshing our site to keep tabs on them. There are a handful of different ways you can follow us to get the latest updates on NFL news and rumors all year.

You can like us on Facebook, and receive headlines and links for all our posts via your Facebook account. You can also follow us on Twitter to have all our posts and updates sent directly to your Twitter feed. Meanwhile, our Google+ page is located here, and if you’d like to follow us using your RSS reader of choice, you can find our RSS feed right here.

If you prefer to receive updates only on roster moves such as signings, cuts, and trades, you can follow our transactions-only feeds via RSS and Twitter.

Extra Points: Browns, Harbaugh, Peterson

December 7th, 2014 at 10:11pm CST by Ben Levine

Let’s take a look at some assorted notes as we wrap up the weekend…

  • The Browns quest to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002 took a hit today, but don’t expect the team to make any drastic changes. Following Cleveland’s 25-24 loss to the Colts, coach Mike Pettine addressed the play of quarterback Brian Hoyer (via David Campbell of Cleveland.com). “He did not play well enough for us to win,” Pettine said. “The entire team did not play well enough for us to win.” So, will the team make the switch to rookie Johnny Manziel? “I haven’t even thought about it,” said Pettine. “It’s something we’ll get together and discuss. It’s too fresh after this one.”
  • There isn’t only a quarterback controversy in Cleveland. According to Branson Wright of The Plain Dealer, the Browns may be looking for another kicker after veteran Billy Cundiff missed another key kick. “It’s obviously concerning,” said Pettine. “We get field goal attempts, we get a chance to put points on the board against a good team and you’ve got to be able to convert.”
  • There have been plenty of rumors regarding Jim Harbaugh‘s future with the 49ers, but the head coach was adamant that the whispers have not distracted his team, saying “it can’t be a factor.” The coach was also clear that he’s focused on this season. “My priorities are No. 1, winning football games,” Harbaugh said (via Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com). “No. 2, the welfare of our players, coaches and staff. And, lastly, is what my personal professional future is.”
  • A resolution to the Adrian Peterson appeal will come eventually, and Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com believes the running back will be on the field in 2015 if a deal is reached. If a deal isn’t reached, the writer warns that a lawsuit could be the next option.

East Notes: Revis, Briles, Cowboys

December 7th, 2014 at 10:49am CST by Rory Parks

The Patriots will have a big decision to make regarding the future of star cornerback Darrelle Revis this offseason, and Tom Curran and Mike Giardi of CSNNewEngland.com discuss in a video piece what that decision will entail. Although Revis has stated that he does not need to be the highest paid cornerback in the league to be happy, Curran and Giardi note that Revis is a shrewd businessman and that it will take a fair (read: highly-lucrative) offer to get a deal done.

Let’s take a look at a few more items from the league’s east divisions:

  • In the same piece, Curran and Giardi examine how the Patriots might negotiate with injured linebacker Jerod Mayo. They note that New England may approach Mayo with an incentive-laden offer based upon health, which was the team’s strategy when negotiating with Vince Wilfork.
  • Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com writes that losing Aaron Dobson for the season serves as yet another reminder of how difficult it has been for the Patriots to draft and develop quality receiving talent under Bill Belichick (though Belichick has usually done more than enough to compensate for that deficiency in other ways).
  • In a piece that will probably surprise no one, ESPN’s Adam Schefter writes that Jets GM John Idzik has alienated members of his coaching staff and front office, further fueling the belief that the team’s administration will undergo a complete overhaul in the offseason.
  • Jason Cole of Bleacher Report notes (via Twitter) that if Washington fires first-year head coach Jay Gruden after the 2014 season (as PFR’s Rob DiRe discussed last night), the team should pursue current Baylor University head coach Art Briles, whose offense would mesh well with Robert Griffin III‘s skillset. Albert Breer of the NFL Network, however, tweets that it would be a “shocker” if Briles were to leave Texas.
  • Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com describes how the Cowboys might go about manipulating their salary cap in order to create enough room to retain Dez Bryant, DeMarco Murray, and Rolando McClain, but he notes that the player Dallas should really focus on is right tackle Doug Free.

NFC Notes: Suh, Peterson, RGIII, Hardy

December 4th, 2014 at 10:01pm CST by Zachary Links

Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy signed the richest contract ever for a player at his position two months ago and he’s rooting for Lions pending free agent Ndamukong Suh to shatter that figure, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I hope he breaks the bank,” McCoy said. “He’s an awesome player, an all-pro, Pro Bowl player. Was Rookie of the Year. Just a dominating force since he’s been in the league. Everything that’s coming to him, he deserves it.” More from the NFC..

  • There has been no settlement reached in the Adrian Peterson appeal yet, so the hearing went on as planned today, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). The hearing for the Vikings running back wrapped up around 3:20 CT (link).
  • There’s a “real chance” Robert Griffin III will be Washington‘s starting QB before this season is over, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). A report earlier today indicated that coach Jay Gruden wants the team to get rid of RGIII in the offseason.
  • Rams coach Jeff Fisher is most certainly telling the truth when he says that he doesn’t regret the 2012 blockbuster deal that sent the draft rights to RGIII to Washington, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t missed opportunities in that draft. As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes, of the 74 picks used before the Seahawks took quarterback Russell Wilson, the Rams had five of them. Instead, the Rams selected Michael Brockers, Brian Quick, Janoris Jenkins, Isaiah Pead, and Trumaine Johnson with those picks.
  • Panthers coach Ron Rivera had positive things to say after pending free agent Greg Hardy visited with some of his teammates on Saturday. “He looks good. He looks like he’s fit and in shape,” Rivera said, according to Bill Voth of Black And Blue Review. “I had a chance to say hello, talk a little bit. Between he and I, it was a nice conversation. He’s trying to keep himself busy, and he’s just waiting to find out what his situation and circumstances are going to be.” Still, given Hardy’s baggage, it’s unclear if there’s a future for him in Carolina.

Extra Points: Titans, Chargers, Rogers

December 3rd, 2014 at 9:57pm CST by Zachary Links

Are you ready for some more football? Another spring football league is on the way, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. On Wednesday, initial plans will be unveiled for Major League Football and it appears that part of their spin will be a play clock that will require teams to get to the line of scrimmage and initiate their next play quickly. The league’s CEO will be former Bears G.M. and former Lions V.P. of player personnel Jerry Vainisi, who helped launch NFL Europe more than 20 years ago. Multiple spring leagues have been formed, and subsequently abandoned, over the years, so we’ll have to wait and see how this plays out.

  • Titans CEO Tommy Smith is promising sweeping change in the offseason. “The roster is going to look a lot different next year,” Smith told Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. “Players need to be playing to the best of their abilities right now, and that will determine their future. There may be some players whose contracts might be up, but that doesn’t mean they’re not going to be here. There may be some players with multiyear contracts, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to be here.“
  • The Chargers saved only a bit of change by cutting Kwame Geathers, writes Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego. By releasing the 24-year-old nose tackle, San Diego saved just $75K in cash. The 6’6″ lineman was said to have made strides this offseason but an August knee injury kept him from the field.
  • Raiders cornerback Carlos Rogers was upset with the team’s decision to place him on IR, writes Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com.
  • Eric Decker cashed in on free agency when he signed with the Jets, but things haven’t gone smoothly for him since then, writes Mark Craig of the Star-Tribune.
  • Colts running back Trent Richardson is pumped to go against his former team, the Browns. “They gave up on me,” Richardson said, according to Zack Meisel of the Northeast Ohio Media Group. “I’m going to go into this game like it’s my last one.“

AFC North Notes: Rice, Bishop, Cribbs, Ravens

December 3rd, 2014 at 7:24pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier this week, Janay Rice told NBC that she was following a suggested script from the Ravens at her May 23 press conference alongisde Ray Rice. Tonight, the Ravens issued a statement denying the accusation, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. “At no time prior to the May 23 session did we provide talking points, a script or suggested script to Janay or speak with her about the press event. We did not recommend or suggest to Ray or Janay that she apologize in any way,” Ravens senior V.P. of public and community relations Kevin Byrne said in the release. More from the AFC North..

  • The Bengals signed linebacker Chris Carter after auditioning both Carter and fellow linebacker Desmond Bishop, a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). Arizona released the veteran on Monday afternoon in anticipation of Matt Shaughnessy‘s return. Bishop’s best years were with the Packers in 2010 and 2011 when he recorded more than 100 tackles in each of those seasons, totaling eight sacks, 10 passes defended, and four forced fumbles in those two combined years.
  • Colts returner Josh Cribbs said it definitely bothered him that the Browns, despite struggling so much on punt returns, would not sign him, tweets Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-journal. “It ate me up,” the veteran said.
  • Ravens cornerback Asa Jackson is hopeful that he’ll be able to return from the IR-DTR in time for Sunday’s tilt against the Dolphins, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. “I’ve been working so long to get this foot back right,” Jackson said. “Hopefully, it will be good the rest of the week and I don’t have any setbacks and then it will be up to the coaches at the end of the week. Everything is directed toward Sunday. That’s what I’m working for.“

AFC East Notes: Ryan, Tannehill, Goodwin

November 26th, 2014 at 7:07pm CST by Zachary Links

Rex Ryan‘s days are numbered as the head coach of the Jets and Ian O’Connor of ESPNNewYork.com wants to give him some advice on what to do next. Rather than go for a defensive coordinator’s job, he suggests that Ryan should go to TV and present himself as someone who can talk authoritatively about offense. And, when those head coaching offers come rolling in, O’Connor says that he should wait for a team with an established winning quarterback. More from the AFC East..

  • The Dolphins have to decide on Ryan Tannehill‘s fifth-year option this spring and it won’t be an easy call, writes Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald. Miami can skirt the hefty $15MM cap hit with a long-term deal, but they have to figure out first if he deserves one. Statistically, in 2014, he has graded out as a top-15 quarterback and coach Joe Philbin has been full of praise for the young signal caller.
  • Mike Rodak of ESPN.com wonders what’s next for Marquise Goodwin after the Bills claimed Marcus Thigpen, a return specialist, off waivers. Goodwin has struggled to emerge with the team since being drafted in the third round last season. On Monday night against the Jets, Goodwin was a healthy scratch for the first time in his career.
  • The Dolphins worked out cornerbacks Dominique Franks and Marc Anthony and linebacker Jake Knott, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (via Twitter).
  • Jets owner Woody Johnson needs to replace John Idzik with a competent GM, opines Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Mehta outlines some of Idzik’s biggest gaffes and says that the team needs to address its issues at quarterback, cornerback, wide receiver, outside linebacker, and on the offensive line.

Extra Points: Washington, RGIII, NFLPA

November 25th, 2014 at 10:33pm CST by Zachary Links

So much for having “every intent” to keep Robert Griffin III as the starter. Washington is planning to start Colt McCoy over RGIII on Sunday at Indianapolis, a team source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Facebook). While Griffin is not a part of Washington’s plan for Sunday’s game, he still appears to be a significant part of the Redskins’ long-term plan, per another source. More from around the NFL as the speculation is sure to continue in the nation’s capital..

  • The Chargers are looking for a consensus from city business and civic leaders on their proposal to build a new stadium in San Diego, writes Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. In the interim, the Chargers are keeping their options open because of what is happening in Los Angeles. The Rams and Raiders, of course, also have an eye on L.A.
  • The NFL and the NFL Players Association met Tuesday morning in New York to continue discussions about a revised personal conduct policy, as Jim Trotter of ESPN.com writes.
  • Albert Breer of NFL Network (on Twitter) hears that the NFLPA wants the option for players facing felony charges to be put on leave with NFL/NFLPA approval. Also, the union proposal would give a neutral arbitrator power to compel testimony from league and union officials (link).
  • Nothing Rex Ryan can do in the next five weeks will save his job as Jets coach, writes Bob Glauber of Newsday.
  • Linebacker Rolando McClain has been too good and too valuable not to get an extension from the Cowboys, opines Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News.
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