Mike Shanahan Wasn’t Sold On RG3 Trade
Lukewarm about Washington trading so much to acquire Robert Griffin III in the first place, Mike Shanahan became further divided against the team’s then-franchise quarterback and Daniel Snyder, whom he felt was partially responsible for pulling the strings for Griffin, after a February 2013 meeting.
The current Browns projected starter, Griffin addressed Mike Shanahan, then-OC Kyle Shanahan and then-QBs coach Matt LaFleur to discuss things he wanted to change about the offense, according to an expansive report from TheUndefeated.com’s Jason Reid. Then coming off a torn ACL sustained during Washington’s playoff defeat against the Seahawks, Griffin said 19 of Washington’s plays were unacceptable to run, primarily identifying several from the zone-read-based package that helped the former Baylor spread passer to the 2012 offensive rookie of the year award, and expected them to be removed from the playbook, Reid writes. RG3 concluded the meeting, which featured video examples of his points, by identifying himself as a dropback passer rather than a running quarterback.
Griffin using the word “unacceptable” pointed Mike Shanahan to connect the dots to this mandate having a Snyder touch, in his opinion, with Washington’s owner using that word often.
“I said to Dan, ‘Do you realize what you’re doing to this kid?’” Shanahan told Reid of a coach-owner summit that occurred immediately after Griffin’s address. “He was using phrases Dan used all the time. There’s only one way a guy who’s going into his second year would do something like this: If he sat down with the owner and the owner believed that this is the way he should be used. He had to have the full support of the
owner and, in my opinion, the general manager to even have a conversation like that. … We tried to get him to slide. We tried to get him to throw the ball away. If he had told me he was hurt, I would have taken him out of the [playoff] game. To hear him … it was really incredible.”
Ironically, Shanahan changed Washington’s offense to fit Griffin’s speed and lack of polish as a dropback passer. Griffin, though, hasn’t been the same since that rookie slate when he threw for 20 touchdown passes and rushed for 815 yards while throwing for 3,200. In 13 games in 2013, RG3 threw for 3,203 but rushed for just 489 as Washington went 3-10 during his starts before giving way to the now-franchise-tagged
Kirk Cousins to close out that season.
“When I finally sat down with Dan, I said, ‘Hey, you own the team. We can work with him and do some things. But we haven’t seen anything on tape that warrants giving [up] this type of compensation.’ To me, it was absolutely crazy,” Shanahan told Reid about his stance at the time on Griffin, for whom Washington traded its first-round pick in 2012, along with its 2013 and ’14 first-rounders. “But I told Dan that if that’s what he wanted to do, I’d make it work.”
Responding to his former coach’s comments, the recently signed Browns passer did not offer a rebuttal, according to the team website.
“I’m so far removed from Washington now and focused on this opportunity here in Cleveland that I don’t even worry about those things anymore,” Griffin said. “I can only focus on what I can control and that’s here in Cleveland … I didn’t even see that story.”
Photo courtesy USA Today Sports Images
Kyshoen Jarrett's Career In Jeopardy
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said Tuesday that he has reached out to Fletcher Cox multiple times, but he hasn’t spoken with the defensive lineman (link via Josh Paunil of PhillyMag.com). Cox, who has one year left on his contract, has been absent from the Eagles’ voluntary May workouts. If the two-time second-team All-Pro misses the club’s mandatory three-day minicamp in June, it’ll cost him upward of $76K.
More from the NFL’s two East divisions:
- Though Jets receiver Eric Decker doesn’t seem thrilled with the idea of life after Ryan Fitzpatrick, he acknowledged Tuesday that the team will have to make the best of it if the free agent quarterback doesn’t re-up with Gang Green. “All I can say is we have to move on without him right now because they are stuck where they are with the business decision, where they want to go with the money, who’s going to break,” Decker told SiriusXM NFL Radio (per ESPN’s Rich Cimini). Decker had one of his best seasons in his first (and only?) year with Fitzpatrick in 2015, catching 80 passes for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns.
- In holding out for a trade, Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford and agent Tom Condon made a rational business decision, opines Mike Sielski of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Bradford’s Eagles teammates understand his point of view, which is why they haven’t attacked him for seeking a better opportunity elsewhere, adds Sielski. “A player can get cut before his contract is up. Teams have no loyalty necessarily to their players. So when players make moves, it’s all business,” said safety Malcolm Jenkins
- Some members of the Washington organization are wondering if safety Kyshoen Jarrett‘s career is over, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post. Jarrett, a 2015 sixth-round pick, appeared in all 16 of the team’s games as a rookie, totaling 58 tackles and a forced fumble. He suffered nerve damage to his right shoulder and neck on a Week 17 hit, however, and still doesn’t have much feeling in his arm as a result. For now, the likelihood is that Jarrett will miss the upcoming season, Jones writes.
Washington Signs CB Mariel Cooper
Here are today’s minor transactions from around the NFL:
- The Steelers have brought back tight end David Johnson, who was with Pittsburgh from 2009-13 after it took him in the seventh round of the ’09 draft (Twitter link via Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). Johnson, who has 24 career receptions, spent the previous two seasons in San Diego. To make room for Johnson, the Steelers cut fellow tight end David Reeves, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). Reeves, an undrafted free agent from Duke, signed with the Steelers last month.
- Just days after signing with the Titans as an undrafted free agent, cornerback/kick returner Morgan Burns has retired, writes The Associated Press. Burns, a former Kansas State speedster, was the Big 12 special teams player of the year in 2015.
- The Panthers have claimed tight end Marcus Lucas off waivers from the Bears, David Newton of ESPN reports. Lucas is familiar with Carolina, having spent the 2014 season on its practice squad. The former undrafted free agent from Missouri has yet to appear in an NFL game.
- The Jaguars signed offensive lineman Jeff Linkenbach and cut kicker Jaden Oberkrom, according to ESPN’s Mike DiRocco. Linkenbach has 86 appearances and 36 starts to his name. Ten of those appearances came when Linkenbach was a member of both the Dolphins and Chargers last year. Oberkrom had a brief stint in Jacksonville, which signed the ex-TCU standout as an undrafted free agent earlier this month.
Earlier updates:
- The Eagles announced that they have signed tight end M.J. McFarland and linebacker Ty Powell while waiving quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson and offensive lineman Brett Boyko, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. The addition of Powell means that the Eagles now have four players from the Buffalo’s 2014 defense on their roster. Jim Schwartz, of course, served as the defensive coordinator of that team.
- The Buccaneers announced that they have signed A.J. Francis, as Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com writes. The defensive tackle now joins his fourth team after beginning his career in Miami and later seeing time in Seattle and New England. To make room, second-year defensive tackle Davon Coleman has been waived.
- Former Texans first-round pick Amobi Okoye has signed with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League, as Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle writes. The defensive tackle was stricken with a rare illness, which seemingly ended his career in 2012. He hooked on with the Cowboys last season, but he was released before he could take the field.
- Washington has signed tryout cornerback Mariel Cooper, Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com tweets.
- The Ravens announced that cornerback Sheldon Price, an ERFA, has agreed to his one-year contract with the team. Price, who went undrafted out of UCLA in 2013, previously spent time on the Colts’ taxi squad.
Washington Releases Andre Roberts
4:40pm: Washington elected against using a post-June 1 designation on Roberts’ release, meaning the club will save $3MM in cap room, tweets Master Tesfatsion of The Washington Post.
8:10am: Washington tried to trade Roberts, but no one was interested in taking him on at his contracted price, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.
8:06am: Washington has released wide receiver Andre Roberts, according to a source who spoke with Mike Jones of The Washington Post. By cutting Roberts, the team will save $4MM against the cap, provided that Roberts is cut with a post-June 1 designation. 
Roberts’ release does not come as a huge surprise following the selection of wide receiver Josh Doctson in the first-round. Now, Washington is set to trot out a wide receiver depth chart which includes DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Doctson and Jamison Crowder. Last season, Crowder leapfrogged Roberts on the depth chart and it seems likely that he would have done the same this year. The team also has wide receivers Ryan Grant and Rashad Ross on the roster.
Roberts inked four-year, $16MM contract with Washington in 2014 with the expectation that he would serve as the team’s No. 2 receiver next to Pierre Garcon. Soon after, however, DeSean Jackson unexpectedly became available and Washington swooped in to make him a focal point of their offense. Upon being relegated to the No. 3 WR role, Roberts expressed frustration, but his slide did not stop there.
Last season, Roberts appeared in 9 games (zero starts) and caught a career-low 11 passes for 135 yards. Roberts first made a name for himself in 2012 when he stepped out of Larry Fitzgerald‘s shadow in Arizona to haul in 64 catches for 759 yards and five touchdowns. In every year since, he has seen his targets, receptions, and yards decline.
With a history of production plus some acumen in the return game, Roberts should draw interest from teams looking to round out their group of receivers. Of course, the 28-year-old will command a lot less than the $4MM base salary he was scheduled to earn in 2016.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Washington Makes Several Roster Moves
- More Washington signings via the team’s website: tackle Al Bond, guard Nila Kasitati, linebacker Mike Wakefield and running back Kelsey Young. Guard Dominick Jackson was waived.
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Latest On Kirk Cousins
Washington general manager Scot McCloughan says that quarterback Kirk Cousins will be here “a long time,” as John Keim of ESPN.com writes. Of course, as of today, Cousins is still slated to play under the franchise tag for the 2016 season. For his part, Cousins acknowledged that extension talks will likely heat up as the July 15th deadline approaches, Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com tweets.
Washington can’t afford to lose Cousins and they also can’t really afford to franchise tag him for a second time at ~$24MM in 2017. If the team were to do that, more than 25% of their cap space would be dedicated to Cousins and pricey new addition Josh Norman.
While we wait to see how that plays out, here’s a look at the NFC East:
- The Giants will likely move Jason Pierre-Paul around the defensive line this year, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com writes. JPP, who was re-signed this offseason on a one-year, $10MM+ deal, likely can’t line up as a full-time starter at right defensive end spot due to the state of his right hand. The two-time Pro Bowler could be moved inside to play defensive tackle on passing downs while seeking the bulk of his time at left defensive end. On the opposite bookend, the Giants will trot out free agent acquisition Olivier Vernon.
- More from Graziano, who writes that run-stuffer Damon Harrison will team with Johnathan Hankins on early downs. While Snacks’ $9.5MM/year salary might seem high for a two-down player, the Giants firmly believe that he will benefit them on third downs by lengthening the distance their opponent has to go with his work on first and second downs. Giants opponents converted 47% of third-down opportunities in 2016, the highest figure in the league, so Big Blue needs Harrison to help set the tone.
- Jordan Reed’s contract extension lets other Washington players know that they will get paid if they work hard and produce, Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Mid-Atlantic writes. Reed, a third-round pick in the 2013 draft, inked a five-year, $48.4MM deal that includes $22MM in guarantees. Reed set career highs in games played (14), receptions (87), receiving yards (952), and touchdowns (11) in 2015. “It’s a great message to send to the rest of the guys, man,” coach Jay Gruden said. “You work hard, you produce, good things will happen, and it did for Jordan. He’s a great kid and obviously we have high aspirations for him.”
Kyshoen Jarrett Could Miss Season; Cravens Works At Inside Linebacker
Kyshoen Jarrett has visited several specialists this offseason in hopes of reaching a conclusion regarding the nerve damage the Washington safety suffered in Week 17 of his rookie season. The second-year player hasn’t done any work with the team this offseason, and Jay Gruden remains uncertain on Jarrett’s timetable, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
It remains a possibility that Jarrett misses his entire second season, Mike Jones of the Washington Post reports (on Twitter).
A sixth-round pick last year, the now-23-year-old Jarrett forced a fumble and made 38 tackles as a rookie. The Virginia Tech product started five games for Washington and played in all 16 before going down against the Cowboys in what turned out to be a meaningless contest.
Washington has converted DeAngelo Hall into a safety, signed David Bruton and drafted linebacker/safety Su’a Cravens to help its back line.
Here’s some more on Washington, along with the latest coming out of the NFC.
- Although Cravens is listed on Washington’s roster as a safety, the former USC talent worked exclusively at inside linebacker during the team’s minicamp, Jones tweets. Cravens lined up at outside ‘backer and at safety with the Trojans, but his professional employer prefers he first acclimate to the inside spot before branching out to nickel and safety assimilation, per Jones.
- The size disparity between Leonard Floyd and the Bears‘ other primary outside linebackers will be significant this season. DC Vic Fangio expects the team’s top rookie to weigh between 230 and 235 pounds this season, Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune reports. Contrast that with Pernell McPhee and Lamarr Houston, who are both over 270, and it’s a rather notable chasm between players who play the same position. Fangio said multiple times during an interview with Chicago-area media Saturday he wasn’t concerned about the ex-Georgia edge player’s weight. “I’m sure there’s going to be a play or two every game where you’re going to say, ‘Jeez, he’s not heavy enough,’ or, ‘He’s too light,’” Fangio said. “Hopefully there’ll be a few plays every game, too, that we say, ‘Well, jeez, we didn’t have anybody who could have done that in the past.’ He is what he is.”
- Carson Palmer‘s work with Cardinals consultant Brett Fischer last year helped strengthen his throwing arm, with wideouts and defensive backs noticing quickly he was throwing harder than he had in 2014, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic reports. Fischer worked with pitchers Randy Johnson and Max Scherzer before aiding Palmer.
- Kickers Connor Barth and Nate Freese tried out for the Saints today during a workout that consisted of 44 tryout players, Evan Woodberry of NOLA.com reports. Freese was a seventh-round Lions draft choice in 2014. The Saints have Kai Forbath and Josh Scobee on their roster. New Orleans also worked out former Packers seventh-round defensive lineman C.J. Wilson, who played with the Packers from 2010-13, saw short stints with the Raiders and Lions the past two seasons. Entering what would be his age-29 season, Wilson has made 19 career starts and 6.5 sacks.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/14/16
Here are today’s minor moves from around the league.
- Washington signed cornerback Mariel Cooper after a minicamp tryout, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports (on Twitter). Cooper attended The Citadel after transferring from South Carolina State following a four-year stint there.
- The Saints signed UDFA cornerback De’Vante Harris, Evan Woodberry of NOLA.com tweets. Hopefully, there weren’t any paperwork-related issues since former Appalachian State offensive lineman Davante Harris is in New Orleans trying out for the team. De’Vante Harris suited up at cornerback for Texas A&M and deflected 21 passes over the past three seasons in College Station.
Washington Waives Joe Gore
- Washington confirmed today that the team has cut offensive tackle Joe Gore. According to Wilson (via Twitter), Gore received a failed physical designation, so it appears that the Clemson alum – signed last week as a UDFA – suffered an injury this week.
Keim: Washington's Young Talent Has Improved
Barring an unforeseen problem, the Eagles are expecting No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz to sign when he arrives in Philadelphia today, a source tells Ed Werder of ESPN.com (on Twitter). 
The 23-year-old Wentz is the first FCS quarterback to be drafted in the first round since the Ravens picked Joe Flacco in 2008. Even though he has spent the last few years playing against weaker competition than other top QBs, evaluators believe that Wentz has the size and arm strength to make an impact in the NFL. In his two seasons as NDSU’s starter, Wentz threw for more than 4,700 yards and 42 touchdowns against only 14 interceptions, while helping the Bison win two FCS titles.
Here’s more out of the NFC East:
- New Eagles vice president of player personnel Joe Douglas comes with a pretty impressive resume, as Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer highlights. Douglas previously worked in the Baltimore Ravens’ scouting department for more than 15 years and is credited with pushing the team to acquire talents like credited with helping acquire quarterback Joe Flacco, guard Marshal Yanda, linebacker C.J. Mosley, guard Ben Grubbs, and kicker Justin Tucker.
- Washington‘s young talent looks much better than it did this time last year, John Keim of ESPN.com writes. At the age of 25, tight end Jordan Reed headlines the team’s list of young standouts and that comes as no surprise given the monster deal he just inked with the team. Tackle Morgan Moses, running back Chris Thompson, and even kicker Dustin Hopkins are among the team’s youngsters that are worth watching.
- James Kratch of NJ.com rated the best undrafted free agent signings made by Giants GM Jerry Reese over the years. The list is headlined by a true no-brainer pick in wide receiver Victor Cruz. Cruz, a former star at Paterson Catholic, became a key cog on the Giants’ Super Bowl XLVI team. Currently, the Giants are unsure of what they have in their former salsa-dancing star after he missed most of the last two seasons. The list of notable Big Blue UDFAs also includes tight end Larry Donnell and linebacker Mark Herzlich.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.