HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Extra Points: Graham, McClain, Ryan, Jags

March 24th, 2014 at 10:52pm CST by Matt Feminis

The Saints and Jimmy Graham are expected to reach an agreement on a long-term deal before April 22, reports Pro Football Talk, citing a league source. That date represents the deadline by which Graham must file a grievance over the league designating him a tight end for franchise tag purposes (Graham sought to be tagged as a receiver, which would have netted him a tender worth approximately $5MM more than the $7MM tight end tender).

Rounding up a few more miscellaneous links from around the league:

  • Retired linebacker Rolando McClain, whose rights are held by the Ravens, intends to return to the field in 2014, and owner Steve Biscotti is open to it, according to the Carroll County Times’ Matt Zenitz. Drafted eighth overall by the Raiders in 2010, McClain’s trails and tribulations, including three arrests over a 17-month period, have been well-documented. Recently, however, he has returned to school at Alabama, gotten his personal life in order and stayed in good enough shape to consider a comeback. Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome, an Alabama alumnus, has received “glowing reports” from Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and been in contact with McClain’s agent.
  • It’s no secret Jets head coach Rex Ryan has not been pleased with the team’s inability to land a marquee cornerback, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted DeMarcus Ware was the big fish Ryan really wanted to reel in.
  • Entering free agency, Redskins GM Bruce Allen sought to “address team chemistry as much as the talent,” writes ESPN.com’s Steve Keim.
  • Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell believes the depth of this year’s draft class will enable the team to land three or four starters, says John Oehser of Jaguars.com (via Twitter). One of those starters could be a quarterback, as the team will meet privately with Texas A&M Johnny Manziel, as they did with Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater and Central Florida’s Blake Bortles, tweets Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union.
  • The seven-round draft order, updated with compensatory picks, can be found here, courtesy of ESPN.

Lions To Sign James Ihedigbo

March 24th, 2014 at 9:41pm CST by Matt Feminis

9:41pm: The Bears and Eagles were also interested in Ihedigbo, tweeted ESPN’s Adam Caplan.

9:37pm: Ravens free agent safety James Ihedigbo agreed to terms on a two-year deal with the Lions, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

Ihedigbo visited Detroit the first week of free agency, at which time the team offered a two-year deal. They’ve been waiting for an answer ever since. Ihedigbo, 30, started 16 games for the Ravens last year, totaling 101 tackles, 11 passes defended, three interceptions and two forced fumbles. The Lions had familiarity with the safety thanks to new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, who was Ihedigbo’s position coach in Baltimore. Presumably, Ihedigbo steps into a starting role for the Lions, who cut ties with oft-injured Louis Delmas in February.

NFC West Notes: ’Hawks, 49ers, Cards, Rams

March 24th, 2014 at 8:49pm CST by Matt Feminis

Achieving dynasty status is very, very difficult in today’s parity-driven NFL where salary cap restraints dictate constant roster fluctuation. The Seahawks are equipped to defy the odds, however, believes ESPN.com’s Jeffri Chadiha, who says, “What the Seahawks have working in their favor is the knowledge that they’ve put themselves ahead of their competition with creative scouting and innovative management.”

In other NFC West division notes:

  • The 49ers, who already boast one of the league’s deepest rosters, now possess six of the first 100 picks in the upcoming draft. Accordingly, the team has the currency to be very aggressive, writes ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson.
  • Cardinals GM Steve Keim will travel to Montreal on Thursday to be on hand for the pro day of Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, an ascending Canadian offensive tackle prospect, according to John Kryk of the Ottawa Sun. Duvernay-Tardif shares some similarities to the Cardinals’ new left tackle Jared Veldheer, who signed a five-year deal earlier this month. Like Veldheer, who was drafted in the third round of the 2010 draft out of Hillsdale College, Duvernay-Tardif is an under-the-radar, relatively raw prospect with intriguing tools to coach up. He also has outstanding intangibles, an element of the scouting report that helped land Veldheer in free agency, as Keim explained in a brief video interview with CBS Sports. Duvernay-Tardif, who will also fly to meet with the Cardinals, has other visits scheduled with the Seahawks and Browns, says ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter).
  • Meanwhile, Cardinals standout linebacker Daryl Washington pleaded guilty to aggravated assault stemming from a domestic violence incident last year, reports Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic. Washington, who received the first installment of a $10MM bonus option earlier this month, could face up to two years in prison when he is sentenced late next month.
  • Offensive tackle is the top draft need for the Rams, according to NFL.com, and they’d be in position to draft Auburn’s Greg Robinson at the top of the first round.

Bears’ Mills Tops Performance-Based Pay List

March 24th, 2014 at 6:59pm CST by Matt Feminis

Bears rookie right tackle Jordan Mills, whose base salary was $495k last season, will receive approximately $318k from the performance-based pay pool, more than any other player in the league. Created in order to reward players who make the least and play the most, the performance-based league pool is $3.46MM per team. Each team’s performance-based pay leader can be found here, courtesy of USA Today.

Mills, a fifth-round pick out of Louisiana Tech, started all 16 games for the Bears. However, his starts were more a reflection of the team’s lack of options, as Mills rated as one of the league’s worst starters, ranking last in pass protection (-32.5 rating) and hurries allowed (62). Other notables (dollar figures rounded):

Ravens Notes: Smith, Rice, Harbaugh

March 24th, 2014 at 5:42pm CST by Matt Feminis

With NFL owners meeting in Orlando, Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun provided an assessment of the Ravens following their busy month thus far. At this stage, the team is mostly monitoring the market in search of budget-friendly opportunities, but they’re not done spending. According to Zrebiec, the Ravens still need a starting offensive lineman, be it right tackle or left guard, as well as depth at running back, tight end, inside linebacker, defensive back and defensive line.

In other Ravens news:

  • Also prominent on the agenda is Torrey Smith, whose contract owner Steve Bisciotti wants to extend prior to the draft, according to Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times (via Twitter). Zenitz says Smith’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, is scheduled to speak with team brass during this week’s meetings.
  • Head coach John Harbaugh got a year tacked onto his contract, which now has four years remaining, per Zrebiec (via Twitter).
  • Owner Steve Bisciotti told Zrebiec there is no circumstance in which Ray Rice is not a Raven in 2014 (via Twitter).
  • Kelechi Osemele, who is recovering from back surgery and could play left guard or right tackle next season, is progressing well if a recent Instagram video is any indication.
  • Finally, the team was awarded four compensatory picks (max allowed) in the upcoming draft: a third-round pick (No. 99 overall), two fourths (Nos. 134 and 138) and a fifth (No. 175). Since Ozzie Newsome’s arrival in 1996, the Ravens have been awarded 41 compensatory picks, eight more than any other team, points out Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post (via Twitter).

2014 NFL Compensatory Draft Picks

March 24th, 2014 at 5:15pm CST by Luke Adams

The NFL has officially announced the 32 compensatory draft picks for 24 that have been handed out to teams who had the most significant losses in free agency a year ago. These picks are determined by a formula that accounts for salary, playing time, and postseason honors. Teams can’t receive more than four picks each, and this year’s selections were divided up among 13 clubs. Here’s the list of 2014 compensatory picks by team, with the round and overall selection number included:

  • 49ers: 3rd (100)
  • Bears: None
  • Bengals: 6th (212), 7th (252)
  • Bills: None
  • Broncos: None
  • Browns: None
  • Buccaneers: None
  • Cardinals: None
  • Chargers: None
  • Chiefs: None
  • Colts: None
  • Cowboys: 7th (248), 7th (251), 7th (254)
  • Dolphins: None
  • Eagles: None
  • Falcons: 4th (139), 7th (253), 7th (255)
  • Giants: 5th (174)
  • Jaguars: None
  • Jets: 4th (137), 6th (209), 6th (210), 6th (213)
  • Lions: 4th (133), 4th (136)
  • Packers: 3rd (98), 5th (176)
  • Panthers: None
  • Patriots: 4th (140)
  • Raiders: None
  • Rams: 6th (214), 7th (249), 7th (250)
  • Ravens: 3rd (99), 4th (134), 4th (138), 5th (175)
  • Redskins: None
  • Saints: None
  • Seahawks: None
  • Steelers: 3rd (97), 5th (173), 6th (215)
  • Texans: 4th (135), 6th (211), 7th (256)
  • Titans: None
  • Vikings: None

Cowboys Notes: Free Agency, Orton, Ratliff

March 24th, 2014 at 4:57pm CST by Luke Adams

Let’s round up a few Monday items related to the Cowboys….

  • Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones indicated that his team is making a concerted effort to avoid players on the wrong side of 30, who are no longer in their primes, writes David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. That helps explain why players like DeMarcus Ware, Jason Hatcher, and Miles Austin won’t be on the roster next season.
  • One over-30 player is on his way back to the Cowboys, however, as agent David Dunn confirms his client Kyle Orton will return for 2014, rather than retire (Twitter link via Calvin Watkins of ESPN Dallas). Orton should enter the season as Tony Romo‘s primary backup, though he could get a push from newly-signed Brandon Weeden.
  • The Cowboys have filed a complaint against former defensive tackle Jeremiah (Jay) Ratliff in an effort to recoup some of the money they paid him, owner Jerry Jones confirmed today (link via David Moore). “This type of conduct, unable to play for us one day and a few days later working out for another club, is undermining and needs to be addressed,” Jones said.
  • According to Calvin Watkins, the Cowboys are looking to get back a portion of Ratliff’s $10MM signing bonus, a portion of his $1.34MM 2013 base salary, and monies owed on a luxury suite at AT&T Stadium.

NFC Notes: Sanchez, Cutler, Kaepernick, Kuhn

March 24th, 2014 at 4:46pm CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles appear to be the frontrunners to sign Mark Sanchez, but the quarterback doesn’t have an agreement in place with any team yet. As Sanchez and his suitors weigh the decision, we can rule out Seattle as a potential landing spot. Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com tweets that the Seahawks, who had been mentioned because of the connection to former USC coach Pete Carroll, aren’t in the mix for the former Jet.

Here’s more from around the NFC:

  • According to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter), the Bears have created a little 2014 cap space by converting $5MM of Jay Cutler‘s $22.5MM base salary into a signing bonus. That allows the team to spread the bonus out in even $1MM hits over the next five seasons, creating $4MM in cap savings for ’14.
  • Working out a deal that will keep Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco long-term is a “priority” for the 49ers, head coach Jim Harbaugh said today. Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com has the details and quotes from Harbaugh.
  • Free agent fullback John Kuhn continues to talk to the Packers and other teams, according to Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  • Saints GM Mickey Loomis spoke at length to Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune about his team’s offseason so far, including New Orleans’ additions and subtractions. Discussing the Darren Sproles trade with the Eagles, Loomis suggested that he hopes the move doesn’t come back to “bite” the Saints.
  • Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links) passes along some specific details on J.D. Walton‘s two-year contract with the Giants. With an overall base value of $6MM, the deal includes annual base salaries of $1.25MM (2014) and $2.25MM (2015), a $1.25MM signing bonus, a $250K roster bonus due on the fifth day of the 2015 league year, and $50K each season in per-game roster bonuses.

Raiders Notes: L.A., Incognito, FAs, Howard

March 24th, 2014 at 3:45pm CST by Luke Adams

With rumors about a move back to Los Angeles constantly swirling around the Raiders, owner Mark Davis didn’t exactly move to shut them down in a conversation with Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com yesterday at the owner meetings in Orlando.

“We’re not done in Oakland. We’re trying really hard, and we’ll see how that goes,” Davis said. “But Los Angeles is something that I’ve definitely thought about and haven’t pursued. There are other places as well. Until we can find out if Oakland is real, then I’m still staying in Oakland. If we can get something done in Oakland, I will stay in Oakland.”

Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post adds (via Twitter) that Davis said today Raiders fans shouldn’t be worried about a possible move to Los Angeles. But as Davis’ specific wording (“not at this time”) suggests, the Raiders owner’s comments come with an implied threat, even if it’s not laid out explicitly. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk digs deeper into that topic, and we’ll dig deeper into a few more Raiders-related items:

  • Free agent guard Richie Incognito has expressed interest in signing with the Raiders, and Davis didn’t rule out that possibility today, as Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com details. However, Davis also suggested asking general manager Reggie McKenzie about Incognito, and when Marc Sessler of NFL.com did exactly that, he was met with a smile and silence from the GM, as he tweets.
  • Speaking to Bair (Twitter links), McKenzie conveyed some disappointment in losing Jared Veldheer and Lamarr Houston in free agency, suggesting that the Raiders made fair market offers to both players. The GM also stressed that it wasn’t a case of letting Veldheer go, but rather than the offensive tackle made the decision to leave Oakland.
  • Austin Howard, one of the Raiders’ major free agent signings this month, was actually signed to play guard rather than right tackle, tweets Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle. According to Tafur, the team hopes 2013 second-round pick Menelik Watson can take over right tackle in 2014.

Rams Sign Greg Reid, Etienne Sabino

March 24th, 2014 at 3:37pm CST by Luke Adams

3:37pm: The signing of Reid officially came across the NFL transaction wire today, and was accompanied by news that the Rams had also signed linebacker Etienne Sabino, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Sabino, who played his college ball for Ohio State, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Giants last spring, but didn’t make the team’s regular season roster.

12:55pm: The Rams have signed former Florida State cornerback Greg Reid, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). Reid first announced the agreement himself on Facebook, as noted by RamblinFan.com.

Reid, a former Seminoles standout, saw his Florida State career derailed by injuries and off-field issues, and played his final college season at Valdosta State after being dismissed from FSU’s program. Reid, who went undrafted last year, worked out at FSU’s Pro Day earlier this month, showing that he had recovered from two ACL surgeries.

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