2014 March - Pro Football Rumors

Seahawks To Re-Sign Steven Hauschka

March 17th, 2014 at 9:56am CST by Luke Adams

The Seahawks have agreed to terms on a new deal with Steven Hauschka that will keep the standout kicker under contract for the next three seasons, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Rapoport reports that Hauschka’s new contract will be worth $9.15MM over those three years, with a guarantee of $3.35MM.

Hauschka, 28, has been with the Seahawks for the last three seasons after getting his NFL career started in Baltimore. He enjoyed his best season in 2013 for the Super Bowl champs, converting all 44 of his extra-point tries as well as 33 of his 35 field goal attempts. He also handled kickoffs for the club, racking up 49 touchbacks.

Assuming Hauschka plays out the three-year deal, it looks like his annual salary would be $3.05MM, which is in line with many of the other deals inked by top kickers this offseason. Nick Folk, Phil Dawson, Graham Gano, and Dan Bailey all signed deals with per-year salaries ranging from $3MM for Folk to about $3.21MM for Bailey.

Nate Allen, Eagles Agree To One-Year Deal

March 17th, 2014 at 9:44am CST by Luke Adams

9:44am: Updating his earlier report, Schefter tweets that Allen’s new deal is actually worth $2MM, with the chance to max out at $3MM through playing time incentives.

9:06am: It’s a one-year, $1MM contract, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).

8:59am: Safety Nate Allen will be returning to Philadelphia, according to the Eagles, who announced today (via Twitter) that the two sides have agreed to a one-year contract.

No Eagles safety played more defensive snaps in 2013 than Allen, who saw action in 1,126 regular-season plays. Starting all 16 games for the club, Allen recorded 89 tackles, an interception, and a sack from the strong safety position. For 2014, one of the two starting safety spots in Philadelphia will be filled by new signee Malcolm Jenkins, but Allen, a former second-round pick, could be in the mix for the other spot, depending on what the team does in the draft.

Saints To Re-Sign Zach Strief

March 17th, 2014 at 9:33am CST by Luke Adams

9:33am: The deal, which is actually guaranteed for $8.4MM, features a $5.5MM signing bonus, a source tells ESPN.com’s Mike Triplett (Twitter link).

9:09am: According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), Strief’s deal is worth $4.1MM per year, which would put it at $20.5MM over five. Wilson adds that it includes $8.5MM in guaranteed money.

8:48am: Offensive lineman Zach Strief will be signing a new contract with the Saints today, agent Ralph Cindrich tells Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. It’s a five-year deal, according to the team (via Twitter). Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com had reported earlier this morning (via Twitter) that the two sides were meeting today and getting close to working out an agreement.

Strief, 30, has spent the first eight years of his NFL career in New Orleans, including the last three as the club’s starting right tackle. According to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), the former seventh-round pick enjoyed his best season in 2013, ranking as the league’s best right tackle and grading especially well as a pass blocker.

As I suggested on Friday, a new contract for Strief will be a challenge for the Saints to squeeze into their cap space, even after the team traded away Darren Sproles and extended Pierre Thomas. As we saw with their signing of Jairus Byrd though, the Saints have shown a willingness to get creative with the cap numbers on long-term contracts, so it’ll be interesting to see what the numbers on Strief’s deal look like.

The Dolphins reportedly had interest in bringing in Strief for a visit, but the tackle decided not to visit Miami, focusing instead on working out a new deal with the Saints.

Brandon Weeden, Jared Allen Visiting Cowboys

March 17th, 2014 at 7:56am CST by Luke Adams

The Cowboys will host multiple notable free agents early this week, with quarterback Brandon Weeden and defensive end Jared Allen set to visit the team. Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com reports Weeden’s meeting, along with Henry Melton‘s visit, will happen Monday, while Adam Schefter of ESPN.com says Allen’s visit will happen on Tuesday.

The Cowboys have been fairly quiet since free agency opened, signing just a pair of defensive lineman, Jeremy Mincey and Terrell McClain. With limited cap flexibility even after cutting DeMarcus Ware and Miles Austin, the club doesn’t have the ability to spend big on free agents this year, but Allen and Melton are arguably among the top players who don’t have contracts at this point. Concerns about Allen’s age or Melton’s health could open the door for Dallas to make a bargain buy or two, but we’ll have to wait to see how their visits go.

As for Weeden, we heard on Friday that the Cowboys would have interest in the former Browns signal-caller, who was released last week. So far, Dallas has been the only team linked to the 30-year-old.

NFC Notes: Cowboys, 49ers, Cardinals

March 16th, 2014 at 10:22pm CST by Ben Levine

A couple of notes from around the National Football Conference to end your weekend…

After having visited the Seahawks today, it appears that Jared Allen will also visit the Cowboys, tweets Sean Jensen of Thrive Sports.
After losing out on Julian Edelman and Emmanuel Sanders, the 49ers‘ list of potential receivers is shrinking, says ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson. The writer throws out James Jones, Santonio Holmes and Sidney Rice as potential options for the team.
Paying Daryl Washington the first installment of his bonus was a “good risk” by the Cardinals, writes Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. Despite the linebacker’s inability to stay out of trouble, his Pro Bowl-like talent and production makes the relatively low monetary risk worth it.
While the team certainly has depth at receiver after inking Golden Tate, don’t expect the Lions to drop a wideout, writes Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. He identifies Ryan Broyles and Kris Durham as being on the bottom of the depth chart, but believes that both players could still stick around. Rothstein guesses that Broyles could start the season on the PUP list.
It’ll likely be a while before Corey Wootton signs anywhere, but ESPN.com’s Michael C. Wright thinks the Bears should bring back the defensive lineman.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Choosing Between Giants, Jets

March 16th, 2014 at 8:55pm CST by Ben Levine

It keeps looking like Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will join one of the New York teams, but it’s still a mystery which team he’ll choose. Rodgers-Cromartie is spending the night in New York so he can take his physical with the Giants on Monday, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). However, Dan Hanzus of NFL.com, citing his colleague Ian Rapoport, claims that Rodgers-Cromartie already took a physical with the Jets. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News adds that Jets coach Rex Ryan wants to sign the player “badly” (via Twitter). Earlier this evening, Rapoport insinuated that the cornerback was narrowing his list to the two teams (via Twitter).

Rodgers-Cromartie is generally regarded as the best cornerback still available in free agency. The 27-year-old appeared in 15 games for the Broncos last season, compiling 31 total tackles and three interceptions. The former first-round pick also played for the Cardinals and Eagles.

The Browns are also trying to get Rodgers-Cromartie in for a visit, reports Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

FA Links: Sanders, Allen, Hester

March 16th, 2014 at 7:50pm CST by Ben Levine

Before he signed with the Broncos, there were rumblings that receiver Emmanuel Sanders might end up with the Chiefs. There was so much to those rumors that even the team thought they were going to land the free agent, but it all ended up being a clever strategy by the former Steelers’ agent, Steve Weinberg. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, many executives around the league aren’t happy with how the Sanders talks were handled, with one team official saying the Weinberg broke “every rule in negotiations”. In his press conference today, Sanders said there was “no handshake” and “no kind of agreement” with the Chiefs.

Free Agency Notes: Visits, Jaguars, Patriots

March 16th, 2014 at 6:11pm CST by Ben Levine

A couple of notes from around the NFL to distract on this Selection Sunday…

Defensive end Alex Carrington will be visiting the Raiders and the Rams, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
The Steelers will host receiver Lance Moore on Tuesday, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Moore was released by the Saints more than a week ago.
The Jaguars still need to add an offensive lineman and are looking for depth at receiver, writes Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com.
Having lost both Dane Fletcher and Brandon Spikes, the Patriots depth at linebacker is getting thin, opines Field Yates of ESPNBoston.com. Jerod Mayo, Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower were the only linebackers on the current roster to have played more than a single defensive snap last season and because of that, Yates thinks the team should consider bringing in more depth either through the draft or free agency.
Michael Oher‘s new contract with the Titans is “scary,” says Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. Oher signed a four-year, $20MM deal earlier this weekend.
The Colts may need to cut a receiver after adding Hakeem Nicks, writes Mike Wells of ESPN.com. Wells believes the competition for the fifth receiver will be between Griff Whalen and LaVon Brazill.

Extra Points: Welker, Burleson, Cromartie

March 16th, 2014 at 4:57pm CST by Dallas Robinson

A few assorted notes from around the league:

Broncos receiver Wes Welker‘s $3MM roster bonus and $3MM base salary became fully guaranteed on Wednesday, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post (via Twitter).
Receiver Nate Burleson tweets that he is not retiring, noting that he was hampered last season by his broken arm.
The Jets remain interested in cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, tweets Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. The tweet also notes that fellow cornerback (and Rodgers-Cromartie’s cousin) Antonio Cromartie, recently released by the Jets, is interested in returning to the team.
Quarterback Shaun Hill will visit the Rams on Monday, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Twitter link).
With reports that Anthony Spencer is set to visit the Giants, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano writes that signing the pass-rusher only makes sense if he comes on the cheap.
The best recruiting tool for the Buccaneers, who have signed several free agents such as Michael Johnson, Anthony Collins, and Josh McCown, is new head coach Lovie Smith, opines Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.

Visit Updates: Manningham, Britt, Bridgewater

March 16th, 2014 at 4:13pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Several notes on player visits:

Receiver Mario Manningham will meet the Giants on Monday, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN. Manningham played for the Giants from 2008-2011 before signing with the 49ers.
Receiver Kenny Britt will meet with the Redskins after he visits the Patriots, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. We noted earlier today that Washington was attempting to schedule a visit with the free agent.
Linebacker Will Herring visited the Cowboys on Saturday, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. A previous deal between the two parties fell through.
The Chiefs met with offensive tackle J’Marcus Webb, according to ESPN’s Adam Caplan (Twitter link).
Caplan also tweets that fullback Erik Lorig met the Saints, who do not have a fullback on the roster after non-tendering Jed Collins.
Linebacker Rob Jackson will meet with the Raiders, per Mike Jones of the Washington Post (via Twitter).
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater met with the Vikings staff, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.