2014 May - Pro Football Rumors

Extra Points: Matthews, Gordon, Rams, Pats

May 22nd, 2014 at 9:32pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s a new day when it comes to rookie contracts in the NFL, writes former exec Andrew Brandt for The MMQB. Of course, salaries and contract length are now predetermined for every pick, taking the negotiating out of the process. Because of that, many players are questioning why they need to have an agent to handle rookie contracts at all. Here’s more from around the league..

Falcons first round pick Jake Matthews will receive a $10.269MM signing bonus on his four-year, $16.435MM guaranteed deal, tweets Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. As is the case for the rest of his fellow first-rounders, the deal for the No. 6 overall pick also includes a fifth-year option.
Browns General Manager Ray Farmer said that he doesn’t think a superstar receiver is crucial to a team’s success, which may not bode well for Josh Gordon‘s long-term future with the club, writes Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer. “I would say ‘how important are those guys?”’ Farmer told 92.3 The Fan. “Name the last big-time receiver to win a Super Bowl. Name the last mega-guy. (Gordon) matters to me because I like the guy and I think he’s a really good player, but at the end of the day, when you look at the teams that have these mega-receivers, name the last guy that won a Super Bowl?… There are none. The last guy that really helped his team get there was T.O. (Terrell Owens).”
The Rams signed undrafted free agent wide receiver Jordan Harris, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. The Baylor product racked up over 2,200 yards over the last two years.
The Patriots announced that they have signed first-year defensive back Daxton Swanson out of Sam Houston State and undrafted free agent defensive lineman L.T. Tuipulotu from Utah. To make room, the Pats released rookie free agent safety Jeremy Deering (Rutgers) and first-year wide receiver Greg Orton (Purdue).
Packers free agent Jermichael Finley tweeted out that he has received “Awesome News!” with the hashtag “#IWillRiseAgain” which could be an indictation that he has been cleared to play. Finley, once regarded as one of the best tight ends in the NFL, missed the bulk of last season.

Draft Signings: Fiedorowicz, Borland, Scott

May 22nd, 2014 at 8:22pm CST by Zachary Links

Here are the latest draft signings from rounds 3-7..

The Texans agreed to sign third-round tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). With the Iowa product in the fold, only Jadeveon Clowney and Xavier Su’a-Filo remain unsigned. Prior to the draft, Fiedorowicz visited the 49ers, Patriots, Lions, Jets, and worked out privately for the Buccaneers. Fiedorowicz caught 26 passes for 253 yards and led Iowa with six touchdowns last season.
The 49ers signed third-round pick Chris Borland, tweets Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee. As noted in Rory Parks’ PFR Prospect Profile, the Wisconsin linebacker had a very productive collegiate career, especially in 2013, when he accumulated 112 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks.
The Seahawks announced that they have signed sixth-round pick Garrett Scott, tweets Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. The offensive tackle out of Marshall did not participate in Seattle’s rookie minicamp because he had yet to pass his physical.

AFC East Notes: Marshall, Jets, Pats

May 22nd, 2014 at 7:15pm CST by Zachary Links

Linebacker James Morris is probably disappointed after being cut loose by the Patriots due to a failed physical, but he can’t complain about the paycheck. The Iowa product scored a $10K signing bonus and $10K in other guarantees, netting him $20K. Here’s more out of the AFC East..

Brandon Marshall says that the trade sending him from the Dolphins to the Bears two years ago was a “career-saving” move, writes Adam L. Jahns of the Sun-Times. “The transformation started in my life before I was traded here,” Marshall said. “But I think it was career-saving. I don’t think I’d be sitting in this position talking about an extension. I probably wouldn’t even be having the success that I was having on the field in that environment (in Miami). It wasn’t right for me.“
Jets free agent acquisition Michael Vick hinted again today that he’ll serve as Geno Smith‘s backup, writes Seth Walder of the New York Daily News. “Going through the competition with Nick, we knew both of us coming in that it was open competition and the best guy was going to win the job,” Vick said. “Pretty much cut and dry. This situation is different. It’s kind of unique. Even though it’s not an open competition, we’re both competing every day.”
The Patriots tried out unrestricted free agent cornerback Terrell Thomas, according to Howard Balzer of USA Today (on Twitter). At last check, the former Giants reserve traveled to Oakland along with Justin Tuck in March.

49ers Sign Jimmie Ward

May 22nd, 2014 at 7:05pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers announced that they have signed first-round pick Jimmie Ward, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). The cornerback/safety was taken with the 30th overall pick.

Ward, a 5’11”, 193 pound athlete out of Northern Illinois, finished his collegiate career with 320 tackles, 26 passes defensed, 11 interceptions, four forced fumbles, two sacks, one fumble recovery and four blocked kicks. He was also a three-time All-Mid-American Conference selection and two-time All-American. As a senior, Ward started all 14 games at safety, and recorded a team-high 95 tackles, while adding one sack, 2.5 tackles for loss, a conference-best 10 passes defensed and seven interceptions.

Ward may be undersized, but the 49ers aren’t concerned about how he’ll make the transition to the NFL. “Don’t mistake lack of size for lack of toughness, because it’s not the case,” 49ers GM Trent Baalke said on draft night, according to Daniel Brown of the Mercury News. “He’s a highly competitive young man that’s beat the odds his whole career.”

Belichick: Not “That Interested” In Mallett Trade

May 22nd, 2014 at 5:29pm CST by Zachary Links

Ryan Mallett has been mentioned rather frequently here on Pro Football Rumors over the past few months, but if Patriots coach Bill Belichick is to be believed, he probably won’t be going anywhere. In an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio (via Twitter), Belichick said that trading the backup quarterback isn’t something that the team is “that interested in.”

Mallett, 26 in June, is entering the final year of his contract and some have wondered if he might be out of the Pats’ plans after the club drafted Eastern Illinois signal caller Jimmy Garappolo in the second round. However, it sounds like the Arkansas product is likely to play out the final year of his deal in New England. Depending on who you ask, the Patriots and the Texans may have discussed a Mallett swap prior to the draft, though Houston GM Rick Smith denied the report.

Mallett was listed as the No. 2 QB for the Patriots in 2013 but didn’t throw a single pass.

Draft Signings: Falcons, Dolphins, Bengals

May 22nd, 2014 at 4:45pm CST by Luke Adams

We’ve been tracking all of this year’s draft pick signings by team right here, and we have a few new deals to add to that list. Here are the latest draftees to officially ink their deals, or at least agree to terms, with their new NFL clubs:

The Falcons have agreed to terms with fourth-round running back Devonta Freeman, the team announced today (via Twitter). Third-round safety Dezmen Southward is the only Atlanta draftee that has yet to reach a deal with the club.
Fifth-round tight end Arthur Lynch has signed his rookie contract with the Dolphins, according to the team’s official Twitter account. Having been picked 16 spots ahead of fellow Miami fifth-rounder Jordan Tripp, whose signing is noted below, Lynch will receive a signing bonus worth $28K+ more (about $191K).

Earlier updates:

The Bengals have now locked up half of their eight draft picks, announcing today (via Twitter) that they’ve signed fifth-round quarterback A.J. McCarron and seventh-round defensive back Lavelle Westbrooks. According to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap, McCarron’s signing bonus will be nearly $182K, while Westbrooks will receive a more modest bonus worth about $46K.
Third-round center Travis Swanson announced today that he has officially signed his rookie contract with the Lions, posting a photo on Instagram that shows him putting pen to paper. First-rounder Eric Ebron and second-rounder Kyle Van Noy are the only Detroit draftees who remain unsigned.
The Dolphins have agreed to terms with their first of eight draft picks, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, who hears from a source that fifth-round linebacker Jordan Tripp has reached a deal with the club. The 171st overall pick should be in line for a signing bonus worth about $163K on his four-year contract, per Fitzgerald.

Seahawks Sign Justin Britt

May 22nd, 2014 at 4:20pm CST by Luke Adams

Second-round offensive tackle Justin Britt has signed his four-year rookie contract with the Seahawks, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter). With Paul Richardson and Cassius Marsh also locked up, Seattle has now secured its top three draftees, and six of nine total picks.

The final player selected in the second round, Britt should receive a signing bonus worth about $834K, according to Jason Fitzgerald’s figures at OverTheCap.com. In total, Britt’s contract will have a base value in the neighborhood of $3.457MM for the first four years of his career.

Paul McQuistan and Breno Giacomini each logged more than 550 snaps at one of the two tackle positions for the Seahawks in 2013, and departed via free agency this offseason. So while Britt may not become an immediate starter in Seattle, he could end up seeing plenty of playing time in his rookie year, given the team’s need for depth at left and right tackle.

South Notes: Andre Johnson, Texans, Saints

May 22nd, 2014 at 3:55pm CST by Luke Adams

In a series that has been running for several weeks, former agent Joel Corry and former Jets executive Ari Nissim have been conducting mock negotiations between J.J. Watt‘s reps and the Texans, giving National Football Post readers an idea of what real extension discussions might look like. In the fifth installment of the series, the two sides ultimately decide to table negotiations, having failed to reach a middle ground that works for both sides. It should be interesting to look back at these hypothetical talks if and when Watt and the Texans actually do agree on a new deal to see how the numbers compare.

Here’s more from out of the NFL’s two South divisions:

The Texans don’t have interest in trading Andre Johnson, and it would be difficult financially anyway, so head coach Bill O’Brien and GM Rick Smith are working with and talking to the standout receiver in an effort to alleviate his concerns about the club’s direction, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). Johnson voiced some frustration with his role and his future last week.
Drew Brees, who missed the Saints‘ summer practice sessions and workouts two years ago before signing a long-term deal in July, is familiar with Jimmy Graham‘s current position, as Mike Triplett of ESPN.com details. “It’s a leverage game and it’s back and forth. And the team has a job to do and the player has a job to do in regards to their contract,” Brees said. “And so you just understand that that’s the way it is, and you live with it. And when he’s here, I know he’ll be ready to play. I know he’ll be staying in good shape and all those things. I’m not worried about Jimmy Graham. When he comes back, he’ll be ready.”
In pieces for ESPN.com, Triplett, David Newton, Vaughn McClure, and Pat Yasinskas wrap up the offseason moves for the Saints, Panthers, Falcons, and Buccaneers, respectively.

North Notes: Ravens, Ebron, Bears, Haden

May 22nd, 2014 at 1:21pm CST by Luke Adams

Let’s check in on the latest items from around the AFC and NFC North divisions….

Ravens assistant general manager Eric DeCosta shed some light on the Ravens‘ targets in this month’s draft, and Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com rounded up a few of his comments. According to DeCosta, he was disappointed that Baltimore didn’t have a chance to land tight end Eric Ebron, who he believes “has a chance to be a difference maker, Pro Bowl type guy.” The Ravens also liked safety Jimmie Ward and were hoping he might be there in the second round, but he was snapped up by the 49ers late in the first.
ESPN.com’s team reporters are breaking down the offseasons for the clubs they cover, and the NFC North group published their recaps today. Rob Demovsky examines the Packers, Ben Goessling sizes up the Vikings, Michael Rothstein looks at the Lions, and Michael C. Wright weighs in on the Bears.
With Brandon Marshall locked up, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune wonders which Bears might be next in line for contract extensions, noting that veteran linebacker Lance Briggs represents an interesting case — the longtime Chicago starter is entering the final year of his contract, but turns 34 this fall, so a long-term deal likely won’t be in the cards. Biggs’ mailbag piece also includes discussions about several other topics, including the Bears’ special teams, rookie minicamp, and receiving depth.
Pat McManamon of ESPN.com provides a few specific details on Joe Haden‘s new contract with the Browns, listing the cornerback’s annual base salaries and workout bonuses.

Doug Baldwin Discusses Contract

May 22nd, 2014 at 12:05pm CST by Luke Adams

Of the players who were eligible for restricted free agency this offseason, all have signed their tenders, reached multiyear agreements with their current clubs, or hit the unrestricted free agent market — all but one. Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin has yet to sign his second-round tender worth $2.187MM, but said today on KJR-AM in Seattle that he’s not too worried about his contract situation. According to Baldwin (via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times), the Seahawks made a multiyear offer, which he countered with a proposal of his own.

“It’s going to take some time,” Baldwin said. “It’s just the process of going through the negotiations, that’s just what it is. … It’s still very early in the stages of the conversation and I don’t know how long it’s going to take. But hopefully we can get something done soon. … If we are unable to reach an agreement I will sign the tender, play that out, and then be an unrestricted free agent (in 2015).”

The Seahawks have brought back a number of their own key free agents this season, including defensive end Michael Bennett, and Baldwin will fall into that same category one way or the other. He doesn’t plan to sit out the season, so whether he plays in 2014 on a one-year tender or in the first year of a longer-term deal, the 25-year-old will take the field for the defending champions.

If Baldwin were to sign a multiyear contract, it’ll be interesting to see exactly what it might be worth. Baldwin’s numbers, including 50 receptions for 778 yards in ’13, are modest, but he’s still young and could be in line for a bigger role now that Golden Tate is no longer in the picture. Tate received more than $6MM annually to sign with the Lions this offseason, and while Baldwin may not match that figure, his per-year salary on a long-term extension would presumably exceed his $2.187MM RFA tender.