2014 March - Pro Football Rumors

Vikings Sign Tom Johnson

March 19th, 2014 at 6:40pm CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings have signed defensive tackle Tom Johnson to a one-year, $845K deal, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. The former Saints notable gets $100K in bonuses and can earn another $600K in incentives. Those incentives can be earned through playing time and sacks, Pelissero adds (on Twitter).

Johnson, 29, was a restricted free agent this offseason but New Orleans opted not to tender him an offer. Johnson played in 40 games and totaled five sacks in three seasons with the Saints. After leaving Southern Mississippi in 2006, Johnson spent time in training camp with the Colts, then had various stints in NFL Europe, the AFL, and the CFL before finding a home in New Orleans. Now, he’ll look to establish himself in Minnesota, even if it’s just for the 2014 campaign.

Draft Rumors: Ebron, Bortles, Desir

March 19th, 2014 at 5:41pm CST by Zachary Links

North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron figures to be a popular man in the coming weeks and he told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that he’s got at least four visits lined up for himself. Ebron, a Newark, New Jersey native, will check in with the Bills, Lions, Ravens, and Panthers in April. Here’s today’s latest draft rumors..

ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio said on air that the Texans, Jaguars, Browns, Raiders, and Vikings have met with Central Florida quarterback Blake Bortles, according to Nate Ulrich of the Beacon Journal (on Twitter). The signal caller participated in UCF’s pro day this afternoon.
The Rams, Chiefs, Jaguars, Packers, Lions, and Bears attended cornerback Pierre Desir‘s pro day at Lindenwood University (Missouri), tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Desir recorded 25 interceptions over the course of his career at the Division II school.
The Browns worked out Clemson offensive lineman Brandon Thomas individually today, tweets Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.com. Pauline says Thomas is looking more like a top 45 pick at this juncture.
Lache Seastrunk says he has visits set up with Steelers and Bills, tweets Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram. The Baylor running back posted the best vertical jump (41.5-inches) and broad jump (134 inches) of anyone at the draft combine in February.
San Jose State quarterback David Fales will meet with the Vikings this weekend, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter).
Middle Tennessee State guard Josh Walker will visit the Colts, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). The standout lineman also has a visit with the Saints lined up.

Bills Re-Sign Scott Chandler

March 19th, 2014 at 4:59pm CST by Luke Adams

MARCH 19: The Bills’ deal with Chandler is now official, tweets ESPN’s Adam Caplan.

MARCH 13: Tight end Scott Chandler will be returning to Buffalo, having reached an agreement on a new two-year contract with the club, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

With players like Jimmy Graham and Dennis Pitta off the market before free agency began, Chandler was one of the more accomplished tight ends available. The 28-year-old has seen his reception and yardage totals climb in each of his first four NFL seasons, all the way up to 53 catches for 655 yards in 2013.

The Lions were said to be interested in Chandler before he agreed to terms with the Bills.

Titans To Re-Sign Mookie Johnson

March 19th, 2014 at 4:57pm CST by Zachary Links

WEDNESDAY, 4:57pm: Johnson’s two-year deal is worth $2.35MM, with a modest $175K signing bonus, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, who adds a couple more contract details via Twitter.

TUESDAY, 6:16pm: The Titans have agreed to re-sign defensive tackle Antonio “Mookie” Johnson to a two-year deal, tweets Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. It was a priority for Tennessee to lock Johnson down for 2014 and beyond and it sounds like they’ve accomplished that tonight.

Johnson, 29, was originally drafted by the Titans in the fifth round of the 2007 draft but things didn’t work out due to injuries. Last spring, Johnson signed with the Titans, reuniting him with the organization. In 16 games (six starts) last season, Johnson recorded 15 tackles and a career-high three sacks.

Packers Re-Sign James Starks

March 19th, 2014 at 4:44pm CST by Matt Feminis

WEDNESDAY, 4:44pm: The Packers have officially re-signed Starks, the team announced today in a press release.

MONDAY, 9:24pm: Free agent running back James Starks is expected to remain with the Packers on a two-year contract, according to Adam Schefter, who says the deal is imminent (via Twitter).

Starks, 28, played 13 games last season (missed three with a knee injury), making one start, and had 89 carries for 493 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and three touchdowns. He rejoins a deep backfield, including Rookie of the Year Eddie Lacy, second-year back Johnathan Franklin and DuJuan Harris, who showed promise in 2012 before missing 2013 because of a knee injury.

Extra Points: Browns, Goodson, Dolphins, Rams

March 19th, 2014 at 4:30pm CST by Luke Adams

After initially suggesting that he’d be open to returning to the Seahawks on a “hometown discount,” Golden Tate ultimately landed with the Lions, inking the second-largest deal of the offseason for a wide receiver. In retrospect, Tate may regret making the comment about giving Seattle a discount, as he explained on 710 ESPN in Seattle (link via Terry Blount of ESPN.com).

“I didn’t mean a 40% discount,” Tate said. “I’m going to earn in one year at Detroit what Seattle was going to pay me for two years. Seattle offered numbers that were laughable. I thought, ‘I’ve given you everything and this is what you give me?'”

As Tate looks forward to teaming up with Calvin Johnson in Detroit, let’s check in on a few more odds and ends from around the NFL….

Free agent offensive lineman Paul McQuistan and defensive lineman Alex Carrington visited with the Browns, tweets Pat McManamon of ESPN.com.
The Jets have converted Mike Goodson’s $650K roster bonus into a different form of roster bonus that can be obtained if he’s on the roster for all 16 games, as Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com details (via Twitter). The move takes the bonus charge off the cap, creating some modest savings for the Jets.
Before he re-signed with the Jets, Willie Colon drew interest from the Falcons and Vikings, but those teams both ultimately “backed off,” the lineman told reporters today (Twitter link via Brian Costello of the New York Post).
The Redskins hosted free agent guard Mike McGlynn for a visit today, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Washington is clearly in the market for at least one interior lineman after cutting Will Montgomery, considering we heard earlier in the afternoon that the club will also host Brian De La Puente.
The conditional draft pick the Dolphins sent to the Ravens for Bryant McKinnie last season will be a seventh-rounder, a league source tells Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (Twitter link).
The Vikings‘ offer to Henry Melton was competitive with the Cowboys‘ proposal in terms of salary, but the free agent defensive lineman simply chose Dallas instead, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
A little over a week into free agency, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch examines where the Rams stand, and takes an in-depth look at Rodger Saffold‘s new contract.
Javier Arenas‘ one-year deal with the Falcons is a minimum salary benefit contract with a $65K signing bonus, says Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has the details on the new additions to the NFLPA’s executive committee.

Raiders Sign Donald Penn

March 19th, 2014 at 4:01pm CST by Zachary Links

4:01pm: Penn has now officially signed with the Raiders (Twitter link).

WEDNESDAY, 2:11pm: Penn’s deal with the Raiders will be a two-year contract with a base value of $9.6MM and a guarantee of $4.2MM, tweets Albert Breer of the NFL Network. Adam Caplan of ESPN.com adds (via Twitter) that Penn could earn up to $11.9MM on the deal if he reaches certain playing time and Pro Bowl incentives.

TUESDAY, 6:53pm: The Raiders have agreed to sign offensive tackle Donald Penn, tweets Albert Breer of the NFL Network. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter) first reported that the two sides were nearing agreement. Landing Penn should be a big help for Oakland after the Rodger Saffold deal fell through.

The Buccaneers cut Penn earlier this month, dropping most of his $7.5MM salary for 2014 and signing Anthony Collins in his stead. Cutting ties with the soon-to-be 31-year-old left Tampa Bay on the hook for just $1MM in dead money. Ever since he was cut loose by Tampa Bay, speculation was rampant that he would wind up with either the Redskins or the Raiders. While Penn met with Washington yesterday, it appears that he has found a home in Oakland.

Saffold appeared to have a deal struck with the Raiders, but Oakland backed out of the deal over perceived health issues. Ultimately, the tackle wound up signing a five-year pact with the Rams.

Marc Mariani, Titans Agree To One-Year Deal

March 19th, 2014 at 3:45pm CST by Luke Adams

The Titans have agreed to terms with wide receiver and return man Marc Mariani on a one-year contract, the team announced today in a press release.

Mariani, 26, missed the entire 2012 season after breaking the tibula and fibula in his left leg and spent the entire 2013 season on Tennessee’s injured reserve after suffering a shoulder injury in training camp. Still, he flashed plenty of promise during his first two seasons with the club, returning two punts and one kick for touchdowns in 2010 and 2011. During his rookie season in ’10, he earned a Pro Bowl spot as a return specialist.

The Chargers hosted Mariani for a visit this week, but the Titans had always maintained interest in bringing him back. Still, it’s not clear what Mariani’s role on the 2014 roster will be, with return men Dexter McCluster and Leon Washington also under contract.

Chiefs Sign Cory Grissom

March 19th, 2014 at 3:39pm CST by Luke Adams

The Chiefs have signed Cory Grissom, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links). Wilson reports that it’s a one-year contract for the defensive tackle.

Grissom, 23, signed last spring with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of South Florida. He was placed on injured reserve in August, however, and didn’t see the field for the team during the 2013 season, before being waived last week.

Patriots Sign Charley Hughlett

March 19th, 2014 at 3:10pm CST by Luke Adams

The Patriots have signed long snapper Charley Hughlett to a two-year deal, according to agent Brett Tessler (via Twitter). Hughlett, a UCF alum, signed with the Cowboys after the 2012 season but was cut last May.

New England had already agreed to a one-year deal with Danny Aiken, the club’s incumbent long snapper, so it looks as if Hughlett will be providing the Pats with some competition for Aiken this summer.