2014 March - Pro Football Rumors

NFC Notes: Kiwanuka, Melton, Peppers, Rams

March 17th, 2014 at 7:44pm CST by Matt Feminis

A short while after the Giants signed Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, it was learned Mathias Kiwanuka took a pay cut, as reported by Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). Kiwanuka sees his base salary decrease from $4.38MM to $1.5MM (with $700k roster bonus and $125k worth of incentives) and the team nets just over $2MM in cap space, according to USA Today’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter). The finagling created flexibility to add Rodgers-Cromartie, says NJ.com’s Jordan Rannan, who points out Kiwanuka signed a deal in 2012, restructured in 2013 and took a pay cut in 2014.

Other NFC news and notes:

Bears free agent defensive tackle Henry Melton, visiting with the Cowboys today, is seeking a short-term, “prove-it” deal, according to Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Packers free agent acquisition Julius Peppers was a shell of himself last season and looked like an unmotivated player, according to anonymous evaluators quoted by Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Rams free agent safety Darian Stewart visited the Panthers on Monday, according to St Louis Post-Dispatch beat writer Jim Thomas (via Twitter). However, Stewart was not offered a contract, says Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter).
The Rams will not receive a compensatory pick for Cortland Finnegan signing with the Dolphins, but they will save $3MM in cap space, writes ESPN.com Rams reporter Nick Wagoner.
The Lions interviewed Colorado WR Paul Richardson at the Combine and sent a personnel executive to his pro day in Boulder, according to MLive.com’s Kyle Meinke.

Donald Penn, Raiders Nearing Deal

March 17th, 2014 at 6:42pm CST by Zachary Links

Offensive tackle Donald Penn is closing in on a deal with the Raiders, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter). Landing Penn, of course, would be a huge help for Oakland after the departure of Rodger Saffold.

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.

AFC Notes: Jets, Spikes, Raiders, Broncos

March 17th, 2014 at 6:17pm CST by Matt Feminis

Losing free agent Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to the Giants is not sitting well with members of the Jets who blame GM John Idzik for losing the player, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. In a three-pack of Tweets, Mehta says Idzik blew it by letting Rodgers-Cromartie visit the Giants, quotes an employee saying Idzik “operates on his own time and schedule” and adds head coach Rex Ryan “is pissed” about losing out on Rodgers-Cromartie. This on the heels of Ryan reportedly wanting the team to bring back Darrelle Revis, who landed with the division rival Patriots.

In other AFC news:

Free agents Kevin Boothe and Alex Carrington “are still in the building,” according to San Francisco Chronicle Raiders beat writer Vic Tafur (via Twitter).
The Bills introduced Brandon Spikes on Monday (contract details here), and ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak relayed some of Spikes’ first comments as a Bill, most notably that Spikes chose Buffalo because of his relationship with Pepper Johnson.
The Broncos have made a handful of expensive free-agent additions, and ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold explains how they were able lure and afford marquee talent. For starters, the roster consists of 34 players with cap hits of $2MM or less.
Packers free agent offensive lineman Marshall Newhouse will meet with the Bengals, according to ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter).

NFC Rumors: Idonije, Clark, Penn, Spencer

March 17th, 2014 at 4:59pm CST by Luke Adams

Defensive lineman Israel Idonije spent the first nine years of his NFL career with the Bears before joining the Lions as a free agent a year ago. Now back on the market, Idonije appears to be considering a reunion with his old team. Albert Breer of the NFL Network reports (via Twitter) that the veteran will be visiting with the Bears tomorrow, while ESPN.com’s Michael C. Wright adds (via Twitter) that Idonije will be taking a physical in Chicago, and the club hopes to lock him up. While we wait for further developments on that front, let’s check in on a few other items from around the NFC:

Free agent safety Ryan Clark tells Tom Pelissero of USA Today that his agent continues to negotiate with the Redskins and that he has also received interest from the Ravens and Jets.
As of earlier this afternoon, free agent tackle Donald Penn was still in Washington, with the Redskins still working to sign him, says Ross Jones of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
Free agent defensive lineman Anthony Spencer left his meeting with the Giants today without reaching a deal with the team, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
The Lions hosted safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix for a pre-draft visit today, tweets Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. Considered one of the top two safeties in this year’s draft class, Clinton-Dix could be a candidate for Detroit at No. 10.
The NFLPA will elect a new president to replace Domonique Foxworth on Wednesday, and Ben Watson of the Saints is a name to watch, tweets Albert Breer.

Giants Sign Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

March 17th, 2014 at 4:55pm CST by Luke Adams

4:55pm: Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hears that $14MM of DRC’s deal will be guaranteed, including a $10MM signing bonus (Twitter link). The signing is now official, adds Vacchiano (via Twitter).

4:20pm: Schefter (via Twitter) pegs the value of the deal at $39MM, with $15MM in guaranteed money. Unless Vacchiano’s figure is off, perhaps $39MM is the max value of the contract after incentives.

3:56pm: The Giants have agreed to sign Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to a five-year contract, reports ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). According to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (via Twitter), the deal is worth $35MM.

Rodgers-Cromartie, who turns 28 next month, represents the latest addition to a secondary that has been significantly retooled in the last week, with the Giants also adding cornerback Walter Thurmond and safety Quintin Demps. After signing a one-year deal with the Broncos last year, DRC enjoyed a very good season in Denver, grabbing three interceptions and breaking up 19 passes while ranking fifth overall among 110 qualified cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required).

While Rodgers-Cromartie seemed to be flirting with the idea of retirement based on comments he made prior to the Super Bowl, he was always a lock to draw significant interest in free agency. The Broncos reportedly made DRC a six-year, $54MM offer before landing Aqib Talib, though that offer didn’t include a significant amount of guaranteed money. The Jets also pursued the veteran cornerback, with Rodgers-Cromartie’s decision essentially coming down to the two New York franchises, though the Browns were also believed to be in the hunt.

With the exception of Alex Mack, who was designated as the Browns’ transition player and therefore isn’t unrestricted, Rodgers-Cromartie was the last of my top 25 free agents to come off the board. Comparing his new annual salary to other corners on that list, DRC was closer to Alterraun Verner territory than to the big deals signed by Talib, Vontae Davis, and Sam Shields. However, the guarantee is more important than the per-year amount, so we’ll have to wait to see exactly how DRC’s five-year breaks down financially.

With Rodgers-Cromartie off the board, the free agent class of cornerbacks has thinned out considerably. Recently released players like Antonio Cromartie, Carlos Rogers, Champ Bailey, and Dimitri Patterson are among the more notable names still on the market.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Giants Re-Sign Spencer Paysinger

March 17th, 2014 at 3:55pm CST by Luke Adams

Linebacker Spencer Paysinger has accepted his restricted free agent tender from the Giants and is now under contract with the team for 2014, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. The Giants tendered Paysinger for the lowest RFA amount, meaning he’ll be on a one-year, $1.431MM deal.

Paysinger, 25, saw an increased role for the Giants in 2013, starting 11 games for the team and playing both middle linebacker and outside linebacker. The Oregon product graded better playing on the weak side than in the middle, according to Pro Football Focus, whose grades had Paysinger ranked 16th out of 35 4-3 outside linebackers (subscription required).

The Giants have now re-signed 2013 starters Paysinger and Jon Beason, and have added a third free agent linebacker in Jameel McClain.

Cardinals Re-Sign Bryan McCann

March 17th, 2014 at 3:48pm CST by Luke Adams

The Cardinals have re-signed defensive back and special teams player Bryan McCann, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter). McCann finished the season with Arizona last year after the team re-added him to its roster in November.

McCann, 26, didn’t play a snap on defense for the Cardinals last season, but contributed in kick and punt coverage, and has past experience as a return man. Agent John Biggins expressed optimism last month that his client could find a starting job for 2014, or at least carve out a regular role as a nickelback, but McCann’s first challenge will be earning a spot on the Cardinals’ regular season roster.

While terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, I’d expect a minimum-salary contract, perhaps with a modest bonus.

Packers To Sign Letroy Guion

March 17th, 2014 at 3:28pm CST by Luke Adams

3:28pm: Guion’s one-year deal is worth the minimum ($730K) and has a $100K signing bonus, but has a max value of $1MM if roster bonuses are earned, tweets Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.

2:57pm: The Packers have agreed to terms with defensive lineman Letroy Guion, agent Thomas Kleine announced today on Twitter. According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), Guion will ink a one-year deal, meaning he’ll be eligible for unrestricted free agency again a year from now.

Guion, a longtime Viking, is the second defensive lineman the Packers will sign away from a division rival, having also added Julius Peppers after he was cut by the Bears. Additionally, Guion will be the second defensive tackle Green Bay has signed to a one-year deal in the last week. With B.J. Raji returning to the fold and reportedly set to assume his old nose tackle position, presumably the Packers have other plans for Guion, who played a lot of nose tackle in Minnesota. It’s possible he’ll come off the bench in Green Bay, or see some time at defensive end.

Guion started 28 games for the Vikings over the last two seasons, recording 52 total tackles and three sacks in those two years of part-time action. Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics weren’t overly kind to the 26-year-old, ranking him 60th of 69 qualified defensive tackles in 2013, a year after he placed dead last among 85 qualified DTs (subscription required).

The Ravens and Patriots also reportedly had interest in Guion, who was released by Minnesota earlier this month.

Weeden, Cowboys Agree To Two-Year Deal

March 17th, 2014 at 2:59pm CST by Luke Adams

2:59pm: Weeden’s two-year deal with the Cowboys will be worth the minimum salary, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). That would mean a base salary of $570K in 2014 and $660K in 2015. Rapoport adds (via Twitter) that Weeden also spoke to the Ravens and Bengals before landing with the Cowboys.

2:50pm: The Cowboys have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with former Browns signal-caller Brandon Weeden, according to Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com (Twitter link). Weeden and fellow Browns QB Jason Campbell were both released last week, making them unrestricted free agents.

A report earlier this offseason suggested that Weeden, no longer in the franchise’s plans in Cleveland, was seeking a trade, and with a new regime in place it seemed extremely unlikely that the former first-round pick would still be with the team in 2014. Since being selected 22nd overall in 2012, Weeden has lost 15 of his 20 NFL starts, completing 55.9% of his passes and throwing more interceptions (26) than touchdowns (23).

For the Cowboys, Weeden appears to be third on the depth chart behind Tony Romo and Kyle Orton. There were rumblings within the last few weeks that Orton was considering retiring, but last we heard, the club still expects him to return for the final year of his contract. If Orton were to decide to end his playing career, Weeden would presumably become Romo’s primary backup.

Raiders, Browns Considering Matt Schaub Trade?

March 17th, 2014 at 2:45pm CST by Dallas Robinson

MONDAY, 2:45pm: The Texans continue to push to trade Schaub, according to Ian Rapoport (via Twitter), who identifies the Raiders and Browns as teams with some interest. As Rapoport notes (via Twitter), even though both Oakland and Cleveland have plenty of cap room, it will still be tough for the Texans to find a deal that works.

SUNDAY, 4:38pm: The Raiders are in “serious talks” about acquiring quarterback Matt Schaub from the Texans, according to Garrett Heinrich of Sports Radio 610 in Houston. The report also notes that the Texans will look to find a QB who can start immediately in 2014, either in the form of a draft pick or a free agent.

Reports on Friday indicated that Raiders might be interested in Schaub, along with other veteran options like Michael Vick, Mark Sanchez, and Josh Freeman. The Raiders, who had the most cap space in the league heading into free agency, could easily absorb Schaub’s contract, which calls for base salaries totaling $37MM over the next three seasons. The Texans, meanwhile, would suffer a $10.5MM 2015 cap hit in the form of dead money in the event of a trade. Houston, holding the No. 1 overall selection in May’s draft, is expected to seriously consider drafting one of Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel, or Blake Bortles to take over as its quarterback.

Schaub, who has also been linked to the Browns, struggled last season, throwing just 10 touchdowns against 14 interceptions, and ranked 35th in quarterback DYAR and quarterback rating. However, he has been largely successful as a starter; just two seasons ago, in 2012, he threw for 4,008 yards and 22 touchdowns.