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Month: November 2024

NFC Notes: Rams, Redskins, Cowboys, Falcons

March 22nd, 2014 at 9:00am CST by Matt Feminis

The upcoming season has long been targeted as the year the Rams will be legitimate contenders. Accordingly, the team has “margin for error next to zero in the NFL draft,” says ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner. The Rams have been quiet in free agency, instead relying on the development of their young team and the potential to bolster the roster with draft picks, including two in the top 13, the first of which (No. 2 overall) is on the auction block. Wagoner asserts the time is now for the team to close the gap on Seattle and San Francisco, especially in the trenches. “…the most glaring difference between the Rams and their NFC West foes last year was how overmatched they were on the offensive line,” says Wagoner, who mentions tackles Greg Robinson (Auburn) and Jake Matthews (Texas A&M) as potential plug-and-play, impact options.

Other morning news and notes in the NFC:

  • The Redskins have signed three inside linebackers this offseason, but the linebacker corps isn’t settled yet, writes Mike Jones of the Washington Post: “The Redskins would like for [Perry] Riley to emerge as the leader of the defense, and become an extension of [defensive coordinator] Jim Haslett. But that could take some time. Riley led Washington in tackles last season, but he tended to disappear at times.” Meanwhile, the other inside linebacker spot is “up for grabs” with Adam Hayward, Akeem Jordan and Darryl Sharpton set to compete.
  • With Miles Austin out of the Cowboys’ plans, the team is open to adding a veteran receiver, writes ESPNDallas.com’s Calvin Watkins, who calls free agent Nate Burleson a “perfect fit.”
  • The Cardinals will look to add depth and size on defense in the draft, writes ESPN.com’s John Weinfuss. More specifically, the team is searching for a prospect to groom as Darnell Dockett‘s replacement, a taller, more athletic safety capable of matching with tight ends and another body at inside linebacker.
  • The Falcons, in desperate need of pass rush, will have a private workout with with UCLA rush linebacker Anthony Barr before the end of the month, according to ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure. Barr could be an option for the No. 6 pick if South Carolina’s Jadaveon Clowney is off the board. Buffalo’s Khalil Mack could also fit the bill, but he does not have a visit scheduled with the Falcons as of Friday.
  • The Lions could have their pick of defensive backs with the 10th overall selection, speculates Dustin Hockensmith of pennlive.com.

Extra Points: Hali, Penn, Prospect Visits

March 21st, 2014 at 10:48pm CST by Rob DiRe

Chiefs‘ pass rusher Tamba Hali received a $2MM roster bonus on Thursday, assuring his place on the team in 2014, reports Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter). He credits Joel Corry of the National Football Post with first noticing. Hali was one half of the terrorizing pair of quarterback killers that helped get the Chiefs’ defense off to such a hot start (the other half being Justin Houston). He would have been tough to replace, and it would have been somewhat of a surprise had he been released for cap space.

Here are a few other notes from around the NFL:

  • New Raider Donald Penn went on SiriusXM NFL Radio to discuss his tumultuous offseason, writes Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. “The way Tampa did me kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. I kind of wish they were on the schedule, but they’re not,” said Penn. “I built a great relationship there. But the way they did it at the end, it wasn’t right in my book. I’m a grown man and they could have treated me like a grown man.”
  • Texas A&M receiver Mike Evans is taking an official visit with the Jets, reports Tony Pauline of Draftinsider.net (via Twitter). Evans is considered the second best receiver in the draft, and a potential top-ten pick.
  • The Jets will also work out offensive tackle Kadeem Williams out of Albany, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Williams will also work out for the Giants.
  • Vanderbilt’s Jordan Matthews went on SiriusXM NFL Radio to discuss teams interested in the wide receiving talent, reports Alex Marvez of Fox Sports 1. Matthews announced he will have pre-draft visits with both the Titans and Panthers.

DeSean Jackson Believes He Is Done With Eagles

March 21st, 2014 at 9:37pm CST by Rob DiRe

Star receiver DeSean Jackson believes his tenure with the Eagles is over, reports Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com. McManus has spoken with two sources close to Jackson, who attested to the wideout’s belief that he will be traded this offseason.

Jackson has been on the trade block since the beginning of March, due in large part to the big salary commitment he holds on the cap. The receiver will have a cap hold of at least $12MM in each of the next three seasons, which places him among the highest paid pass catchers in the NFL. While he may seem to be overpaid, after setting career highs in receptions and yards and tying his career high in touchdowns in 2013, there is not much more he could have done to justify his paycheck. His speed and playmaking ability would make him dangerous in any offense, and coach Chip Kelly has gotten the most out of him in their first year together.

While no official trade talks have begun, the Jets, Patriots, Raiders, Panthers, and 49ers have been speculated to have interest in acquiring Jackson. The Eagles are reportedly looking for a third-round pick in return for their top receiver. The team acquiring him would not only have to give up the draft pick, but would have to be able to fit an expensive player under their cap going forward.

It is tough to imagine the Eagles explosive offense looking the same in 2014 without one of their biggest contributors. The team did re-sign Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin, the latter of which is almost like an addition after missing all of last season with a torn ACL. They still have one of the best running backs in the league in LeSean McCoy, and added Darren Sproles as another dangerous player who can produce at a number of different spots along the formation. The team could still look to add to its offense in the draft, but if Nick Foles matches his performance from last year, the Eagles should be able to put an above average offense on the field even without replacing Jackson.

FA Notes: Finley, Britt, Spencer, Barkley

March 21st, 2014 at 7:55pm CST by Rob DiRe

Former Packers’ tight end Jermichael Finley failed his physical with the Seahawks, reports Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette (via Twitter). He writes that Finley is only four months removed from neck surgery.

Finley could still be months away from landing with an NFL team, based on his recovery, notes Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Here are some other rumors from around the NFL:

  • While they haven’t expressed much interest in Finley, the tight end is still an option for the Giants. However it looks like the team has concluded that Anthony Spencer‘s health is not worth the risk, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
  • Kenny Britt had a good visit with the Patriots, writes Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com. Britt had a conversation with Reiss’ colleague Mike Rodak, who covers the Bills. “It was actually better than I thought it was,” said Britt, discussing the Patriots. “A lot of guys, a lot of people out there that don’t know or been on the inside or think it’s strict and things like that, but it’s laid back when I got there. They got good people there. I actually worked out for them. The workout went great. I had a good time.” 
  • Matt Barkley will have a chance to win the number two quarterback job behind Nick Foles, reports Matt Bosher of CSNPhilly (via Twitter). Bosher writes that the Eagles will still have to bring another quarterback in this offseason.

Contract Details: Fitzpatrick, Wootton, Melton

March 21st, 2014 at 6:21pm CST by Rob DiRe

Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s contract details with the Texans have been reported by Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Fitzpatrick’s deal is worth $7.2MM with $4MM guaranteed, and included $2.25MM in bonus money. Next year’s 3.25MM base salary is not guaranteed.

Here are some other contract details from around the NFL:

  • Corey Wootton‘s deal with the Vikings carries $1MM in salary, with $500,000 in bonus money and an additional $500,000 in potential incentives, reports Wilson (via Twitter).
  • Henry Melton will have the opportunity to make up to $5MM in the first year of his deal with the Cowboys, writes Todd Archer of ESPN.com. This includes $1.25MM in base salary and up to $2.25MM in potential bonus money. Melton will have the ability to earn an additional $1.5MM in incentives, based on playing time and how many times he can take down the quarterback.
  • Calvin Pace re-signed with the Jets on a two-year deal worth $5MM earlier this week. The deal includes base salaries of $1.375MM in 2014 and $2.375MM in 2015, reports Manish Mehta (via Twitter).
  • Kendrick Lewis‘ one year deal with the Texans will be worth $795,000 with $100,000 guaranteed (via Twitter).
  • Antoine Cason‘s one-year deal with the Panthers is for the veteran minimum, reports Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter). The $730,000 deal includes a $65,000 signing bonus.
  • New Giant offensive lineman John Jerry‘s one-year deal is worth $770,000 with $25,000 in guaranteed money, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter).

Jets Sign Michael Vick

March 21st, 2014 at 5:32pm CST by Rob DiRe

Michael Vick is signing with the Jets, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Twitter). In a separate tweet, Schefter reports that it is a one-year deal worth $5MM. The former Eagles and Falcons quarterback started six games in 2013, going 2-4 as a starter. He failed to complete 55% of his passes, and has failed to complete 60% all but once in his NFL career.

Vick will most likely join the team as the presumed backup to Geno Smith, but with a chance to compete with the second-year quarterback. Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said that Vick would have the opportunity to push Smith for the starting job (via Twitter).

Jets Release Mark Sanchez

March 21st, 2014 at 5:26pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Jets have announced that the team has released quarterback Mark Sanchez (via Twitter). The move will free up $8.3MM in cap space in 2014, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).

The former first-round pick had a series of ups and downs during his five seasons with the team. Statistically he rated as one of the most turnover prone quarterbacks in football, posting 68 touchdowns and 69 interceptions in four years as a starter. He never completed more than 57% of his passes and fumbled 43 times. At the same time, Sanchez was able to lead the Jets to a pair of AFC Championship games during his run.

Panthers Sign Joe Webb

March 21st, 2014 at 5:13pm CST by Rob DiRe

Former Viking Joe Webb is expected to sign with the Panthers, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Webb has played both quarterback and wide receiver for the Vikings in his NFL career, though he has not thrown a since 2011 despite the team’s struggles at quarterback, and only has six catches in his career.

Webb has been listed at both positions at various times during his first four seasons, but Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1 reports that the team has signed him as a quarterback (via Twitter). At 6’4″ with high end speed for a quarterback, Webb likely will provide a similar skill set as Cam Newton.

Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer reports that it is a one-year deal that will see Webb play the part of Newton while the starter rehabs this offseason (via Twitter).

Chiefs Sign Chris Owens, Waive Brandon Moore

March 21st, 2014 at 4:57pm CST by Rob DiRe

Cornerback Chris Owens has signed a deal to become a member of the Chiefs, reports Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter). Adam Teicher of ESPN also reported the signing (via Twitter). The team has also decided to release defensive tackle Brandon Moore.

Owens has played six years in the NFL, with the Dolphins, Falcons, and Browns. Teicher added that the signing was curious, because at 5’9″ he is undersized compared to what the Chiefs are looking for in the secondary under this regime.

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