Month: January 2025

NFC Notes: Redskins, 49ers, Tillman

Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett has a lot of decisions to make, writes John Keim of ESPN.com. Key members of a defense that struggled last year are set to hit free agency, but Keim doesn’t think the team will just let them walk and start from scratch. He anticipates the Redskins to retain Brian Orakpo, Perry Riley, and DeAngelo Hall.

  • Keim also noted that the Redskins could have a few notable cuts, including Adam Carriker, Saverio Rocca, Stephen Bowen, and Chris Chester. Between inconsistent performance and injuries, Keim would not be surprised if any of those players become cap casualties.
  • The 49ers secondary is a question mark as the team is making roster decisions, according to Bill Williamson of ESPN.com. The idea that the team might release Carlos Rogers and would not be able to re-sign Donte Whitner was broached yesterday, but Williamson adds that Eric Wright is unlikely to return unless it is for the veteran’s minimum. He also noted that Perrish Cox and Darryl Morris would both be given opportunities to make the roster in training camp after showing promise at times last season.
  • Charles Tillman did not receive a new contract at season’s end, meaning there is a chance the Bears will not bring him back next in 2014, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “I’m not worried about it,” said the Pro Bowl cornerback. “I am just going to see what happens. I have some options, I have some thoughts.” Tillman will be 33 years old next season.

Miami GM Job Risky Proposition

There is certainly something to be said for the fact that only 32 NFL general manager positions exist, but potential candidates for the open GM chair in Miami might be reticent because of the uncertainty and risk attached. The Dolphins are offering interviewees no power beyond roster construction, according to a mailbag piece from ESPN’s James Walker.

Walker highlights the inherent instability a prospective hire would inherit, including the fact he would not have contractual power to make a coaching change. What’s more, in the event Joe Philbin is let go, it’s unclear how much influence the GM would have in selecting a successor. Potential candidates undoubtedly know and understand the importance of a well-oiled power structure, and the Dolphins do not appear to have a solid infrastructure in place for sustained success.

Such an unstable environment could be scaring away candidates unwilling to risk their reputation on a job that could be two or three years and done. This does not even take into consideration the state of the roster going forward. If, for example, a potential candidate is not sold on Ryan Tannehill as a franchise quarterback, it’s easy to understand how an ascending executive would bypass the opportunity, opting not to jump on board a rudderless, sinking ship so as not to jeopardize his industry standing.

Eagles Notes: Cooper, Maclin, Peters, Allen

With free agency looming and approximately $20MM worth of cap space to work with, the Eagles have decisions to make on key players. At the top of the list are receivers Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin. The belief among NFL people is that both players will be back next season, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane.

  • A combination of factors could work to keep the 26-year-old Cooper, whom GM Howie Roseman calls a “young asset,” in Philadelphia. Cooper made a favorable impression on Chip Kelly, but other GMs could be reluctant to bring him into the locker room after last summer’s incident.
  • Maclin, 25, has been a playmaker when healthy, and his skill set is ideal for Kelly’s system, but he’s coming off his second right ACL tear. Consequently, Maclin acknowledges he might be willing to settle for a one-year, “prove-it” contract in an effort to cash in next year.
  • The team is pleased with its three tight ends. Zach Ertz is a bargain on his rookie deal, while Brent Celek ($4MM) and James Casey ($3.99MM) are reasonably priced, meaning the trio could remain intact.
  • DeMeco Ryans is scheduled to make $6.8MM next year and might have to take a pay cut to stay.
  • Franchise left tackle Jason Peters has one year remaining at $9.65MM and could be in line for an extension.
  • Free safety Nate Allen is also a free agent and a question mark to return. A second-round pick in 2010, Allen has not taken his game to the level expected when he was drafted, and was “afraid to hit,” according to an unnamed former coach.

Pompei On Bradley, Licht, Babin

A dearth of elite talent in Mobile has created a potpourri of non-traditional headlines. In his latest missive, Bleacher Report’s Dan Pompei explains that Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley has been the “star of the Senior Bowl.” Contained in the NFL Confidential section are the following notes:

  • Despite Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith having final say on personnel matters, ownership made the final call on the hiring of GM Jason Licht. It is believed the Dolphins were also sold on Licht.
  • Jason Babin is expected to be cut by the Jaguars. At 33, Babin might be relegated to a situational pass-rushing role for his next team.
  • One GM calls the 2014 Senior Bowl rosters the worst he’s ever seen, explaining that many of the players expected to be drafted highly are underclassmen. Additionally, several of the most highly regarded seniors opted not to attend the All-Star game. The GM refers to the exhibition as a “second-round game,” saying 15-18 players could come off the board on the draft’s second day.

Dolphins Interviewing Nick Caserio For GM Job

SATURDAY, 8:41am: Caserio will continue interviewing with the team today, according to Ian Rapoport (via Twitter).

FRIDAY, 12:38pm: The Dolphins officially announced (via Twitter) that they’ve completed their interview with Caserio.

11:56am: Unsatisfied with their list of general manager finalists, the Dolphins will interview Patriots director of pro personnel Nick Caserio today, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The news comes a day after one of the favorites for the job, Ray Farmer, withdrew his name from contention.

With Farmer out of the mix, Dolphins assistant GM Brian Gaine and Titans VP of player personnel Lake Dawson are believed to be among the finalists, with Bucs director of player personnel Dennis Hickey also potentially still in the running. The Dolphins were believed to be whittling down their list and approaching the final stage of the process, but by bringing in Caserio, it seems the team hasn’t finished adding to its list of candidates.

Multiple reports have suggested there’s some confusion or uncertainty among the Dolphins’ interviewees about how the power structure in the team’s front office would work, and Caserio has enjoyed plenty of success in his current role with the Pats, so it will be interesting to see if he’s open to leaving New England if the Dolphins decide he’s their man. Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post indicated yesterday that Miami is expected to make a hire next week.

Pats Notes: Blount, Wilfork, Mallett

The Patriots fell in the AFC Championship Game for the second year in a row, in part because the offense was outgunned, as evidenced by the targeting of the likes of Austin Collie, Matt Slater and Matthew Mulligan. An NFC scout gave his take on the Pats’ anticipated plan of action when he spoke with Christopher Price of WEEI.com. The highlights:

  • The scout credited the offense’s adaptability, but questioned its sustainability, citing a lack of high-caliber talent at the skill positions.
  • The team would like LeGarrette Blount back, but will not overpay.
  • When healthy, the offense has versatile, productive elements with the glaring exception of an outside speed threat to stretch the field vertically.
  • The time is now to begin preparing for life without Vince Wilfork, who is 32 and ended the season on IR. Price posits the team could seek young, versatile interior players to facilitate hybrid flexibility.
  • A “joker” type, pass-catching tight end could be sought in the draft.
  • Backup QB Ryan Mallett is a wild card. Aside from his inexperience, it’s unknown to what extent the team trusts him, though he could hold trade value.

Extra Points: Stafford, Packers, Seahawks

New Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi discussed his new quarterback, Matthew Stafford, with Eric Edholm of Yahoo Sports.

“The good news is that he’s not broken, that much is clear,” Lombardi said. “There’s an awful amount of talent there. His arm is something to behold. We used to sit in the Saints quarterback room and just marvel at his passes — all the depths, the whole field in play. He really can sling it. That’s a great thing to have.”

Stafford, a former first overall pick, should evoke higher praise at this point in his career than “not broken.” While he has put up huge number the past few years, he has struggled with turning the football over, and the Lions were perceived to have underachieved, only reaching the playoffs one time with Stafford under center. Still, the Lions quarterback is here to stay, on an big contract that runs through 2017. Hopefully for Lombardi and new head coach Jim Caldwell, they can get him from “not broken” to “very good” in a short amount of time. Here is some other news from around the league:

 

Graham: Franchise Tag “Unfortunate”

After today’s Pro Bowl practice, Jimmy Graham was asked about Saints general manager Mickey Loomis’ comments earlier this week at the Senior Bowl, where Loomis confirmed what many already thought, that the Saints were prepared to use the franchise tag on Graham if they could not come to terms on a long-term-deal, as Kevin Patra of NFL.com writes.

“I’m not keen on the franchise tag, that would be really unfortunate, but that is really all I have to say about that one,” Graham responded. “If that happens, it doesn’t really matter what I prefer.”

In what is gearing up to be an ugly contract negotiation that very well indeed may end up with Graham playing next season under the franchise tag, Loomis also added a little fuel to the fire when discussing Graham’s position on the football field.

“This business about what position he is? I think he’s a tight end,” Loomis said. “That’s where we drafted him, that’s where we play him. … That’s what makes him valuable.”

Being a tight end makes Graham valuable specifically because the Saints could place the franchise tag on him for a much cheaper price. Last year, a franchised tight end would cost roughly $6MM, where a franchise tag on a wide receiver would cost in the area of $10.5MM, a huge difference for a team trying to fill its roster against the cap.

His position is a point of contention because according to ESPN Stats & Information, Graham lined up as a tight end only 33% of snaps for the Saints offense. The other 67% he was either lined up in the slot or out wide.

While most pundits and fans expect Graham never to hit the open market this offseason, it does not mean that both parties will be happy during these contract talks.

Bills Hire Jim Schwartz As DC

The Bills have hired former Lions head coach Jim Schwartz to be their defensive coordinator, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (via Twitter).

Schwartz was the defensive coordinator for the Titans under Jeff Fisher from 2001-2008, before getting the head coaching job with the Lions. In five years with the Lions, he amassed a 29-51 record, making the playoffs once. He was fired at the end of this season.

His defenses with the Titans achieved varying success, only finishing in the top 10 in points allowed twice and yards allowed three times during his tenure as a coordinator, according to Pro Football Reference. Schwartz has historically always ran a 4-3 defense marked by a desire to pressure with the front four. The Bills recently switched to a 3-4. There is no word yet on whether he will be bringing his defensive scheme with him, but with Mario Williams, Marcell Dareus, and Kyle Williams on the roster, they should have the versatility to play either scheme.

Schwartz replaces Mike Pettine, who left the Bills to become the head coach of the BrownsPettine’s defense finished in the top five in DVOA last season.

Corry On Patriots, 49ers, Manning

As the Seahawks and Broncos prepare for the Super Bowl, the front offices of the Patriots and 49ers are already in offseason mode, and each team has a lot of work to do, writes Joel Corry on CBSSports.com. Here are some thoughts from his piece..

  • The Patriots are only set to be $3.9MM under the salary cap in 2014, based on the projected cap number of $126.3MM. They can look to create room by first cutting safety Adrian Wilson and defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga. Neither was able to contribute to a banged up defense in 2013, because of injury and poor play, respectively, and their release would save about $3.67MM of cap room. Corry also sees the Patriots looking to restructure the contracts of Pro Bowlers Logan Mankins and Vince Wilfork to create additional room.
  • The two biggest names the Patriots could try to re-sign are Aqib Talib and Julian Edelman. Talib was the focal point of an injured defense, and played great when healthy. Of course, he did sit a few games with a hip injury this year and failed to stay healthy in each of the last two AFC Championship games. His contract demands may be high, and with the Patriots’ cap constraints the franchise tag might not be an option. Edelman filled in admirably in the role vacated by Welker in free agency, one Danny Amendola could not fill due to injury, but with money invested in Amendola, Corry is unsure if the Pats would be willing to pay Edelman.
  • Brandon Spikes and LeGarrette Blount are also big names hitting free agency this offseason, but due to depth at those positions there is a chance the Patriots will not pursue them.
  • The 49ers have a little more room, with $8.6MM under the cap before re-signing their restricted free agents. Carlos Rogers looks to be an easy cut, as the highest paid and least dependable member of their secondary. The 49ers would gain more than $5.1MM by releasing him. A tougher decision will have to be made on Frank Gore, who is turning 31 in May. He is coming off a productive season, but with draft picks invested in Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James, and Marcus Lattimore, this could be a good time to turn the page in order to shed his $6.45MM salary. They can also create $6.2MM by restructuring contracts with star linebackers Patrick Willis and Ahmad Brooks.
  • The 49ers also have decisions to make on whether or not to re-sign Anquan Boldin and Donte Whitner. Boldin was great on a one-year-deal, but could command interest on the open market. Whitner is thought to have priced himself out of his job, as he could demand too much for the 49ers to pay with contract extensions for Aldon Smith, Michael Crabtree, Mike Iupati and Colin Kaepernick on the horizon.
  • Speaking of Kaepernick’s next contract, Corry also wrote a piece for the National Football Post detailing the effect Peyton Manning‘s decision to sign a five-year, $96MM deal in March of 2012 to become the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos. Manning was rumored to have turned down an even larger offer from the Titans, possibly of $25MM per year. Corry details how this affected the contracts of the next group of quarterbacks to reach free agency. With one year left on his rookie deal, if Kaepernick is looking for a Joe Flacco or Matt Ryan type contract, it may have helped him had Manning grabbed the extra money to sign the Titans’ supposed offer.