HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Bills Owner Ralph Wilson Passes Away

March 25th, 2014 at 2:07pm CST by Luke Adams

Bills founder and owner Ralph Wilson has passed away, team president and CEO Russ Brandon announced today (Twitter link via Tim Graham of the Buffalo News). The longest-tenured team owner in the NFL, Wilson was 95 years old.

Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009, Wilson was instrumental in keeping the Bills in Buffalo, resisting offers to move or sell the team. With his passing, there will be many suitors, including several in Western New York and Ontario, seeking to purchase the franchise, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. However, the current lease will make it very difficult to move the team for the next few years.

Wilson, who saw the Bills transition from the AFL to the NFL, was acting as the club’s president as recently as 2012, but surrendered all team control to Brandon on January 1, 2013.

Our condolences go out to Wilson’s friends and family.

49ers Working To Extend Colin Kaepernick

March 25th, 2014 at 1:27pm CST by Luke Adams

If all goes according to plan, the 49ers will lock up quarterback Colin Kaepernick to a new contract before he throws his next pass in an NFL game. That’s what GM Trent Baalke told reporters today, including Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News and Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.

“We’re going to work extremely hard, very diligently in trying to get something done prior to training camp,” Baalke said. “That’s the objective right now, as it stands.”

According to Baalke, the two sides, including 49ers president Paraag Marathe and Kaepernick’s agent Scott Smith, have had general “lay of the land” discussions about an extension for the 26-year-old. The next step will be to explore specific figures and years in face-to-face meetings.

Finding a number that works for both Kaepernick and the 49ers won’t necessarily be easy. San Francisco has been able to put together a perennial contender in recent years in part because the modest cap numbers for Kaepernick and Alex Smith before him allowed the team to add plenty of talent at other positions. However, with Kaepernick reportedly seeking in the neighborhood of $20MM+ annually on his next deal, the Niners may have to get creative as they consider how to keep the Nevada-Reno alum around long-term.

NFC Notes: Newton, Cowboys, Suh, Rams

March 25th, 2014 at 1:09pm CST by Luke Adams

Although the Panthers would like to eventually reach an agreement with quarterback Cam Newton that keeps him in Carolina for several years, for now the club expects to take advantage of its fifth-year option for 2015, GM Dave Gettleman confirmed today. As a top-10 pick in 2011, Newton will be in line for a fifth-year salary worth the amount of the quarterback transition tag. Here are a few more updates from across the NFC:

  • Like the Panthers, the Cowboys hope to lock up their own 2011 first-rounder, Tyron Smith, for the long-term, but in the meantime, “all signs point to” the club exercising its fifth-year option for 2015 on Smith, according to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News.
  • Cowboys owner Jerry Jones dismissed the idea that his team is in rebuilding mode, as Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com details.
  • Lions president Tom Lewand confirmed today that he has been in contact with Jimmy Sexton, the agent for Ndamukong Suh. However, the two sides won’t meet in Orlando to discuss an extension for Suh, since Lewand doesn’t believe it’s an ideal setting to do business (Twitter links via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).
  • Jimmy Graham of the Saints and Greg Hardy of the Panthers are still on the franchise tag for now, but Saints owner Tom Benson is very confident New Orleans will work out a multiyear deal with Graham sooner or later, writes Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune. As for Hardy, Gettleman says the Panthers are letting the smoke clear before revisiting a potential long-term contract for the star defensive end, tweets David Newton of ESPN.com.
  • Although the Rams may have some interest in Mark Sanchez, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch believes that interest is tepid at best.
  • Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports (via Twitter) that both players the Rams signed on Monday received minimum-salary deals, with Greg Reid inking a three-year contract and Etienne Sabino signing for one year. Neither pact included a bonus.

Pats Rumors: Wilfork, Jones-Drew, Britt

March 25th, 2014 at 12:15pm CST by Luke Adams

It’s been nearly two weeks since it was first reported that Vince Wilfork had requested his release from the Patriots, and Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com now has some details on the conversation that apparently led to that request. According to Curran, the Pats wanted to convert Wilfork’s $7.5MM base salary into a figure that was attainable through playing time incentives.

Because Wilfork missed nearly all of the 2013 season, those incentives would be considered not likely to be earned, which would wipe them from the team’s cap, so it’s easy to see the Pats’ motives. Even though the deal would have included some form of extension, it’s not hard to see why Wilfork would be hesitant — he’s coming off a torn Achilles, so an incentive-laden deal would put a significant amount of pressure on him to stay on the field following a lengthy recovery.

Here’s more on Wilfork and the Pats:

  • CSNNE’s Curran and ESPNBoston.com’s Mike Reiss each examined recent comments made by Wilfork, owner Robert Kraft, and head coach Bill Belichick, surmising that the Wilfork situation may still be salvageable.
  • Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who initially reported that the veteran defensive lineman had asked to be cut, also reports (Twitter links) that there’s “slight optimism” on the Wilfork front. According to Rapoport, there are two parts to mending the fences: Making Wilfork feel wanted, and then working out his contract situation. Kraft has spoken to the 32-year-old, making progress on re-recruitment, but the contract still must be addressed.
  • The Patriots were one of four teams mentioned as being in the mix for Maurice Jones-Drew yesterday, but a source tells CSNNE’s Curran that the Pats haven’t been in contact with the veteran running back.
  • Kraft tells Ron Borges of the Boston Herald that the Patriots won’t be signing free agent wide receiver Kenny Britt. Britt is believed to still be weighing his options, and John Keim of ESPN.com tweets that the Redskins remain in the mix for him.

Falcons Open To Trading Up In Draft

March 25th, 2014 at 11:29am CST by Luke Adams

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff has suggested a couple times since the season ended that his team may be open to the idea of trading up from their No. 6 spot in the draft, and it appears the Falcons are sending the same signals privately as they are publicly. ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that Atlanta is the first team known to have some interest in trading up.

Given the talent and depth of this year’s draft class, teams have appeared far more inclined to trade down and acquire extra picks, so if the Falcons are serious about trading up, they could likely find a number of potential partners. Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com tweets that the Rams, whose No. 2 selection is one of two first-round picks held by the club, could make sense as a trade partner for the Falcons. If the Jaguars, Browns, and Raiders don’t have their eye on a specific quarterback with picks three through five, they could also represent possible fits for the Falcons.

While Schefter doesn’t specify who the Falcons would be targeting if they decided to move up, the team is set at quarterback with Matt Ryan. The general belief is that defensive end Jadeveon Clowney will be at or near the top of Atlanta’s draft board, and Clowney is unlikely to still be available at No. 6. Offensive tackle Greg Robinson could also be a target for the club.

AFC Notes: Jets, Steelers, Dalton, Dolphins

March 25th, 2014 at 10:35am CST by Luke Adams

New York head coach Rex Ryan indicated today that the Jets aren’t done adding players at wide receiver. However, as Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post tweets, that doesn’t necessarily mean the club will add another impact player.

“[It] might be a sixth-round pick and not the move you want, but we’re not done,” Ryan said.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

  • The Steelers, who have been linked to Maurice Jones-Drew and LeGarrette Blount, will likely have a deal with an experienced running back by the end of the week, tweets Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Head coach Mike Tomlin said this morning in Orlando that the team expected to add running back depth in the not-so-distant future.
  • Asked multiple times this morning about Andy Dalton, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis was unequivocal in his support of the quarterback, suggesting he’d like to see Dalton locked up sooner rather than later, writes Paul Dehner Jr. of Cincinnati.com. In Lewis’ view, leaving the situation hanging over Dalton when camp opens could create an unnecessary distraction.
  • Speaking to reporters, including James Walker of ESPN.com (Twitter link), Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey said today that Miami has spoken to the agent for free agent tight end Dustin Keller.
  • The Broncos haven’t closed the door on the possibility of bringing back running back Knowshon Moreno or defensive end Shaun Phillips, according to GM John Elway (link via Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com).
  • Jaguars owner Shad Khan supported his club’s decision to spread out its free agent spending among multiple positions and players this offseason rather than focusing on a couple significant expenditures. Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union has the details and quotes from Khan.
  • Linebacker remains an area of focus for the Titans, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, who says (via Twitter) the team is conducting a private workout with Louisville’s Preston Brown today. Kentucky linebacker Avery Williamson is also scheduled to have a pre-draft visit with the Titans, tweets Wyatt.

Contract Details: Vick, Campbell, Jenkins

March 25th, 2014 at 9:50am CST by Luke Adams

The one-year deal Michael Vick inked with the Jets is worth a guaranteed $4MM, including a $2MM signing bonus and $2MM guaranteed base salary, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. The contract was originally reported as a $5MM pact, so perhaps there are incentives related to playing time or performance.

Here are several more contract details from around the NFL:

Browns Notes: QBs, Carrington, Revis, LBs

March 25th, 2014 at 9:15am CST by Luke Adams

Like fellow AFC North coach John Harbaugh, the Browns’ Mike Pettine was one of a handful of AFC head coaches who made a handful of interesting comments during this morning’s breakfast interview session with reporters in Orlando. Let’s check out a few of the Browns updates from Pettine….

  • Drafting two quarterbacks, like the Redskins did in 2012, isn’t out of the question for the Browns, according to Pettine: “I don’t think [GM] Ray [Farmer] would be adverse to that at all.” (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal). The Browns are scouting a “big list” of QB prospects, as Lindsay Jones of USA Today details.
  • Pettine “really likes” free agent quarterback Mark Sanchez, and will look into any addition that could help the team, tweets Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
  • Defensive end Alex Carrington remains in play for the Browns, and signing him wouldn’t necessarily result in a roster move involving Ahtyba Rubin, tweets Ulrich.
  • Cleveland “kicked around” the idea of acquiring Darrelle Revis when the Buccaneers were shopping him, but with no guarantee the cornerback would rework his contract, it was hard to take on that $16MM salary, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
  • The Browns landed two of their top free agent targets, according to Pettine, who says Karlos Dansby was the team’s No. 1 free agent inside linebacker, while Donte Whitner was the team’s No. 1 safety (Twitter link via Ulrich).
  • Having landed Dansby, Pettine doesn’t view the inside linebacker position as a glaring need, tweets Ulrich. Craig Robertson is currently penciled in alongside Dansby, and Pettine likes him, though he pointed out that it’s a deep draft for linebackers.

Steelers Sign Lance Moore To Two-Year Deal

March 25th, 2014 at 9:05am CST by Luke Adams

TUESDAY, 9:05am: Moore has officially signed his two-year deal with the Steelers, Lauten confirms (via Twitter). According to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter), the contract is worth $3MM, while Tom Pelissero of USA Today adds (via Twitter) that a $645K signing bonus is the only guaranteed money included.

FRIDAY, 2:48pm: The Steelers have agreed to terms with ex-Saint Lance Moore, according to PR man Burt Lauten (via Twitter). The free agent wide receiver will ink a two-year contract with Pittsburgh.Lance Moore

Moore, 30, had been one of the longest-tenured Saints, acting as a target for Drew Brees‘ for the last several seasons before he was released by the team two weeks ago. Moore’s 2013 receptions (37), receiving yards (457), and receiving touchdowns (2) were his worst totals since an injury-plagued 2009. The decreased production, combined with the presence of 2013 fifth-rounder Kenny Stills and the team’s need to pay star tight end Jimmy Graham, contributed to Moore’s exit from New Orleans. The Steelers will be hoping the veteran receiver still has something left in the tank and has a bounceback year in 2014.

Prior to agreeing to sign Moore, Pittsburgh had lost a pair of key receivers, as the team watched Emmanuel Sanders sign with the AFC champions in Denver, while Jerricho Cotchery headed south to join the Panthers. With Antonio Brown still firmly in place as the No. 1 receiver in Pittsburgh, Moore figures to see plenty of action opposite Brown or in the slot. As Albert Breer of the NFL Network tweets, Moore makes sense as a Cotchery replacement, particularly since the Steelers like 2013 third-round pick Markus Wheaton a lot.

While it’s not clear if Moore drew interest from other suitors during his two-week stint as a free agent, the Steelers appear to be the only team he visited.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Ravens Notes: Jimmy Smith, OL, Daniels, QBs

March 25th, 2014 at 8:37am CST by Luke Adams

The 16 AFC head coaches met with the media at breakfast this morning in Orlando, and while some didn’t offer up a whole lot of notable tidbits, Ravens coach John Harbaugh made a few interesting comments. Let’s dive right in and round up some highlights, with these items coming from Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, and Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times:

  • The Ravens will pick up the fifth-year option on cornerback Jimmy Smith‘s contract for 2015. However, the team would like to work out a longer-term deal with him.
  • Harbaugh confirmed that Jeremy Zuttah, acquired from the Buccaneers over the weekend, will head into the summer as the Ravens’ starting center. For now, the club also intends to keep Kelechi Osemele at guard.
  • The only current opening on the Ravens’ line is at right tackle, but the team isn’t talking to Eric Winston, who has a history with offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak.
  • The Ravens aren’t necessarily done with free agency, and remain in talks with a few players, according to Harbaugh. Tight end is one position the team is considering, with Ed Dickson and Owen Daniels among Baltimore’s potential targets.
  • Baltimore had interest in quarterback Brandon Weeden earlier this month before he signed with the Cowboys, and Harbaugh believes the Ravens need to add another quarterback to the roster.
  • Harbaugh confirmed that the seventh-round pick the Ravens acquired from the Dolphins in exchange for Bryant McKinnie is for 2015 rather than 2014.
  • Rolando McClain, whose rights are still held by the Ravens, has discussed making a comeback, and Harbaugh suggested he’d be open to welcoming back the linebacker if he’s working hard. However, the head coach hasn’t talked to McClain at all.
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