2014 March - Pro Football Rumors

Maurice Jones-Drew Visiting Steelers

March 19th, 2014 at 10:33am CST by Luke Adams

Maurice Jones-Drew is arguably the most accomplished running back among this year’s free agent class, only three years removed from leading the league in rushing in 2011. However, he hasn’t drawn a whole lot of interest so far, with a report linking him to the Jets representing the only activity on his PFR rumors page since free agency got underway.

Jones-Drew has a visit lined up to today, however, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) that the longtime Jaguar will meet with the Steelers. Schefter adds that Pittsburgh isn’t the only club with interest in the veteran running back, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com also suggests (via Twitter) that MJD is talking to several suitors, being patient and trying to find the right fit.

Following his excellent 2011 season, in which he averaged more than 100 rushing yards per game, Jones-Drew was slowed by injuries in 2012. He appeared in 15 games in 2013, but underachieved for a subpar Jacksonville team, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry, a significant drop-off from his previous career low of 4.2.

If he’s healthy and behind a solid line, Jones-Drew, who turns 29 this Sunday, should still have something left in the tank next season. But he’s accumulated a lot of mileage, and the running back market hasn’t exactly been booming this offseason, so the offers for MJD may be modest.

Chris Carr To Retire

March 19th, 2014 at 10:15am CST by Luke Adams

Veteran defensive back Chris Carr has announced, via Twitter, that he’s officially retiring as an NFL player this week. In a string of successive tweets, Carr has thanked the teams he played for and those teams’ fans, but says his years as a Raven were the highlight of his career.

“When I think of my career, I consider myself a Raven first and foremost,” Carr tweeted. “My three years in Bmore are my fondest football memories! The Raven organization is incredible and the fans are second to none! Thank you Baltimore.”

Carr, 30, also played for the Raiders, Titans, Chargers, and Saints, but his only season as a fulltime starter on defense came in Baltimore in 2010. The Boise St. alum racked up 60 tackles, three forced fumbles, and a pair of interceptions for the Ravens that season. Over the course of his career, Carr appeared in 125 NFL games, compiling more than 7,300 return yards on kicks and punts in addition to his defensive contributions.

Bears To Re-Sign Sherrick McManis

March 19th, 2014 at 10:01am CST by Luke Adams

The Bears have agreed to terms with cornerback and special teams contributor Sherrick McManis, according to the team (Twitter link). The club will bring McManis to Chicago on a one-year contract.

McManis, 26, only saw a dozen snaps on defense last year for the Bears, but he played on the kick and punt coverage units, contributing nine special teams tackles over the course of the season. Given his lack of playing time, McManis figures to be be back on a minimum salary deal without much guaranteed money included.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported yesterday that the Bears were working to re-sign McManis, who also reportedly drew interest from the Ravens, Eagles, and Falcons.

NFC East Notes: Allen, Cowboys, Schwartz

March 19th, 2014 at 9:44am CST by Luke Adams

We heard yesterday that free agent defensive end Jared Allen was unlikely to sign with the Cowboys after visiting the team, and his asking price may be contributing to that fact. Ed Werder of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) that Allen is seeking an annual salary close to $10MM, in the neighborhood of what DeMarcus Ware and Julius Peppers received. Of course, the guaranteed money on Ware’s and Pepper’s deals varies significantly, but either way, the Cowboys may not have the flexibility to fit Allen into their 2014 cap.

Here’s more on the Cowboys and one of their NFC East rivals:

Now that the official numbers are out on Ware’s contract with the Broncos are out, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wonders why the Cowboys weren’t more aggressive about trying to trade the veteran pass rusher before releasing him. Considering he didn’t end up taking a huge pay cut, Ware could have had some trade value, particularly if he’d been willing to rework his previous contract. However, a league source says the Cowboys didn’t attempt to trade Ware to Denver, and Florio suggests it doesn’t seem like Dallas tried to trade the 31-year-old to any team.
Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com wonders if the terms agreed to by the Cowboys and Henry Melton could provide a road map for a deal for Anthony Spencer.
In an interesting piece for Bleacher Report, Geoff Schwartz shares a first-person account of his experience in free agency, which fell on the calendar during the same week as his wedding. The veteran offensive guard ultimately signed with the Giants.

Redskins Sign Akeem Jordan

March 19th, 2014 at 8:40am CST by Luke Adams

8:40am: It’s a one-year contract for Jordan, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

8:12am: The Redskins have signed free agent linebacker Akeem Jordan to a contract, the team announced today (via Twitter). The ex-Chief had been visiting with the Redskins yesterday.

Jordan, who spent his first six seasons with the Eagles, joined the Chiefs for 2013 and matched his career-high with 10 starts. Appearing in 483 defensive snaps, Jordan excelled against the run, recording 67 tackles and forcing a pair of fumbles, while ranking as the 11th-best inside linebacker out of 55 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Jordan will help solidify a Washington linebacking corps that is losing London Fletcher to retirement but retained Perry Riley and added Darryl Sharpton and Adam Hayward. Jordan also figures to contribute on special teams, having logged six tackles on punt and kick coverage last season. Prior to signing with the Redskins, the 28-year-old met with the Titans and was said to be drawing interest from a half dozen teams.

Cowboys To Sign Henry Melton

March 19th, 2014 at 7:56am CST by Zachary Links

WEDNESDAY, 7:56am: Melton’s deal can be worth up to $5MM for 2014, and if he remains on the roster through the first day of the 2015 league year, a three-year extension worth $8MM annually and $9MM guaranteed will kick in, says Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com (Twitter links).

TUESDAY, 10:34pm: The big money on Melton’s deal comes if he is on the Cowboys’ roster at the start of the 2015 league year, tweets Todd Archer of ESPN.com.

9:16pm: After the 2014 season, the Cowboys will have a club option to keep Melton for an additional three years, Williams tweets.

8:10pm: It’s a one-year deal with an option for year two, tweets Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram.

7:27pm: The Cowboys are set to sign defensive tackle Henry Melton to a multiyear deal, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN (on Twitter). Meanwhile, Melton himself tweets that he’ll be starting the next chapter of his life “with a star” on his helmet.

Melton, 27, saw his season cut short by injury last season and was only able to play in three games. He was said to be seeking a one-year, make-good contract, but Dallas has instead gotten him to agree to a multiyear pact. In addition to the Cowboys and the incumbent Bears, the Vikings, Raiders, and Seahawks were also connected to the defensive tackle. In the year prior, Melton made 14 starts and racked up a career high 31 tackles with six sacks en route to his first Pro Bowl.

Terms of the deal are not yet known, but Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter) heard that Melton was seeking $4MM per year. Chicago never made Melton an offer, tweets Michael C. Wright of ESPN, as the Bears expected him to field offers elsewhere and report back.

Extra Points: Cason, Allen, Mariani, Hester

March 18th, 2014 at 9:18pm CST by Zachary Links

Three candidates have emerged to succeed Domonique Foxworth as NFLPA president, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today. Saints tight end Ben Watson, free-agent tackle Eric Winston, and free-agent safety Ryan Clark will make their speeches Wednesday before the 32 team representatives vote for a new president. More from around the NFL..

In addition to cornerback Terrell Thomas, who was in for a visit today, the Panthers are also looking at corner Antoine Cason, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports. Garafolo figures that Carolina could sign one or both cornerbacks to boost their secondary.
Defensive end Jared Allen is unlikely to sign with the Cowboys after visiting today, a source tells Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Dallas became less likely for the veteran when the Cowboys agreed to sign fellow defensive lineman Henry Melton earlier this evening.
The Chargers worked out former Titans wide receiver/kick returner/punter Marc Mariani, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN. Mariani has struggled to stay healthy in the past. The 26-year-old missed the entire 2012 season after snapping 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.
Top draft prospect Teddy Bridgewater met with the Texans, Jaguars, and Raiders after his pro-day workout at Louisville, tweets Brian Smith of the Houston Chronicle.
In a conference call with reporters, Chiefs GM John Dorsey said contract extension talks with Alex Smith are ongoing, tweets Herbie Teope of the Associated Press. Dorsey did not offer a timetable for a resolution with his starting quarterback. On the call, Dorsey went on to discuss the club’s near deal with wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders who wound up signing with the Broncos, writes Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star.
Rex Ryan and Jets GM John Idzik were at Florida State Pro Day to check out 6’5″, 240-pound wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin today, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
Safety Craig Steltz‘s one-year deal with the Bears is for the veteran’s minimum of $730K, according to Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com (on Twitter). Steltz can also earn another $65K in roster bonuses.
A source close to free agent return man Devin Hester tells Vaughn McClure of ESPN (on Twitter) that the former Bears standout is still in Atlanta and very much in the picture for the Falcons.

49ers Rumors: Kaepernick, Fangio, Miller

March 18th, 2014 at 7:22pm CST by Zachary Links

A look at the latest out of San Francisco..

The 49ers will have the coin to sign Colin Kaepernick after June 1st when Carlos Rogers’ scheduled base salary is officially wiped from the books, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. The 49ers are currently $3.726MM under the salary cap and their draft picks are expected to eat up approximately $2MM in additional cap space, but losing Rogers will save San Francisco $6.6MM.
At the request of coach Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers gave defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was given a raise and an extension, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Fangio’s contract, which was set to expire after the 2014 season, now runs through 2015, which is when Harbaugh’s is scheduled to expire. The new deal makes him among the highest paid coordinators in the league.
The 49ers are excited about what fullback Bruce Miller can provide in 2014 and they have engaged in contract extension talks with him, according to Bill Williamson of ESPN.com. Miller, who suffered a broken scapula in the 14th game of the season, can hit free agency after the ’14 season. The former seventh round pick is popular in the locker room and should see more short-yardage opportunities with Anthony Dixon in Buffalo.

Eagles Sign Darren Sproles To Extension

March 18th, 2014 at 6:04pm CST by Luke Adams

TUESDAY, 6:04pm: Sproles’ deal gives him $5.5MM fully guaranteed, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN. It’s basically a two-year deal for the tailback with no guaranteed money in year three.

FRIDAY, 2:29pm: Sproles’ new contract will pay him $10.5MM over there years, according to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). Sproles has a base salary of $3.4MM for 2014, with a $100K workout bonus, so the new deal seems to maintain his average of $3.5MM per season.

12:25pm: Shortly after acquiring him from the Saints, the Eagles have extended the contract of running back Darren Sproles through the 2016 season, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). Sproles was set to become a free agent a year from now, so the new agreement extends his contract by two years, as the Eagles have confirmed (via Twitter).

When rumors of a Sproles trade swirled earlier this week, the running back expressed some frustration about learning of the talks through Twitter updates. Sproles suggested he’d prefer to be cut, rather than traded, in order to control his own future. Considering he has already agreed to an extension with the Eagles, it appears the former fourth-round pick is happy with the outcome of those trade discussions.

Although Sproles is technically a running back, he did most of his damage in recent years through the passing game. During his three seasons with New Orleans, the 30-year-old recorded 1,067 rushing yards on 188 carries, and 1,981 receiving yards on 232 receptions, with 21 total offensive TDs (five rushing, 16 receiving). Starting next season, he’ll become one more dangerous weapon for Eagles coach Chip Kelly to employ in an already explosive offense.

Jets Re-Sign Calvin Pace

March 18th, 2014 at 6:01pm CST by Dallas Robinson

TUESDAY, 6:01pm: The Jets officially announced the signing via Twitter.

SUNDAY, 2:57pm: The Jets have re-signed veteran linebacker Calvin Pace, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The deal is for $5MM over two years.

Pace, 33, originally signed withe Jets in 2008, after spending the first five seasons of his career with the Cardinals. He was released in February 2013, but subsequently re-signed in April to a one-year contract. He had something of a comeback season in 2013, starting all 16 games and accruing 10 sacks and 37 tackles. According to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics, he struggled in pass rushing, but excelled in coverage.