2014 May - Pro Football Rumors

Extension Candidate: Roddy White

May 27th, 2014 at 8:13pm CST by Zachary Links

The Falcons want to lock up former All-Pro wide receiver Roddy White up for the long haul, but an unfortunate tragedy put football and contract talks on the backburner earlier this offseason. Understandably, neither side wanted to talk business after the untimely passing of White’s half-brother, Tyron Moore Jr. While things were put on hold, we learned earlier today that the Falcons still expect to hammer out an extension with White at some point this offseason.

The report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggested that Brandon Marshall‘s new three-year, $30MM pact with the Bears could be used as a model for the deal. On the surface, that sounds like a fair deal considering that both men have been among the league’s elite wide receivers for several years. However, given White’s injury struggles last season and the presence of Julio Jones on the other side of the field, that could be a bit too lofty for him. Besides, Marshall is a couple years younger than White, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday in November.

Complicating matters further will be Jones’ contract situation. The dynamic receiver is set to earn $5.15MM in 2014 and $10.18MM in 2015 before he’s eligible to hit free agency and it’s a safe bet that his next deal will have an average annual value closer to his 2015 salary than his 2014 figure. At the end of the day, however, the Falcons know that White’s effectiveness will be limited if he doesn’t have another elite WR with him to attract attention. The Falcons got some solid games out of Harry Douglas and others last season, but outside of Jones, no wide receiver on the roster can deliver like White.

Some might say that a better comparable for White would be Colts veteran Reggie Wayne, who signed a three-year, $17.5MM extension at age 33. ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure raised this point recently, but there are a couple of reasons why that comparable might be off. For starters, in our humble opinion, White has more value than Wayne, even when taking health into account. Secondly, Wayne’s deal was struck two years ago when teams were working under a smaller salary cap. Three years is probably the appropriate length on a new deal for White and a dollar figure that falls between Marshall’s deal and Wayne’s deal (say, $8MM average annual value) would make a lot of sense.

Minor Moves: Steelers, 49ers, Saints, Cards

May 27th, 2014 at 6:51pm CST by Zachary Links

The Steelers announced that they have signed two of their draft picks: fifth-round offensive lineman Wesley Johnson and sixth-round linebacker Jordan Zumwalt. Johnson, a 6’5″, 297 pound lineman out of Vanderbilt University, was taken with the 173rd overall pick and offers experience all over the O-line. Zumwalt, a UCLA product who stands at 6’4″ and 235 pounds, was the 192nd overall selection. He started 30 of 50 games played in his career, compiling 256 tackles (164 solo), two sacks, 22 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions and two blocked kicks. With the signings, Pittsburgh has now signed four of their nine selections from the 2014 NFL Draft. Here’s the rest of tonight’s minor moves..

The Cardinals are signing former Arizona State wide receiver Kevin Ozier to a three-year contract following a successful rookie minicamp, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. The Cardinals also signed tackle Cory Brandon to a two-year deal, his agent tells Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com (Twitter link), and they went on to announce the signings of cornerback Jimmy Legree and running back Jalen Parmele (link).
To make room for the above signings, the Cardinals cut LeQuan Lewis, Tim Cornett, Kadeem Williams, and Corey Washington, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
The 49ers announced that they signed fourth-round wide receiver Bruce Ellington. The No. 106 overall pick out of South Carolina finished last season with 106 catches for 1,586 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The Saints inked tackle Jason Weaver and waived receiver Chris Givens, writes Katherine Terrell of The Times-PIcayune. Weaver, a former Edna Karr player, signed with the Buccaneers as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2013 and spent training camp with the Bengals last year before spending the regular season on the Dolphins practice squad. Givens was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2012 but never saw a regular season snap.
The Cowboys waived-injured Jarrod Pughsley and Evan Wilson to sign offensive guards Tyronne Green and Darius Morris, Wilson (of the Baltimore Sun).
The Rams signed wide receiver Diontae Spencer, according to Wilson (via Twitter). The McNeese State product had some interest in April but went undrafted.

AFC East Notes: Pouncey, Easley, Bills

May 27th, 2014 at 4:58pm CST by Luke Adams

So far today, we’ve passed along word that Bills CEO Russ Brandon says Buffalo’s uncertain ownership situation isn’t affecting the team’s football decisions, and made note of a few minor signings made by the Patriots and Dolphins. Here’s more out of the AFC East:

Unlike Richie Incognito and John Jerry, who were named in the Ted Wells bullying report along with him, center Mike Pouncey is getting a second chance with the Dolphins. Whether that’s because of his contract situation, his talent, his lesser role in the scandal, or a combination of all three, Pouncey hopes to make the most of the opportunity and prove that he can be a franchise cornerstone, as James Walker of ESPN.com details. “I would hope that anybody else wouldn’t doubt that,” Pouncey said of his leadership. “The work ethic I put in, the way these guys on this football team look at me, they all know I’m the leader they want me to be. So my main focus is to be the best leader I can be.”
First-round defensive tackle Dominique Easley and the Patriots were closing in on a contract last week, but talks have hit a snag, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. Although most draftees come to terms pretty quickly, discussions are a little more extensive for first-round picks, who have to negotiate offset language and guaranteed money. Easley is also coming off an ACL tear, which may complicate talks.
Billionaire developer Donald Trump is maintaining his interest in making a bid for the Bills, suggesting today that he expects to be involved in the sale process. “We are going to put in a bid,” Trump said, according to Jerry Zremski of the Buffalo News. “I don’t know what’s going to happen in Buffalo. If the price isn’t the right price, then I won’t get it, and I won’t be ashamed of it … But if I get it, I think I’ll probably do a good job.”

Chiefs Rumors: Houston, Flowers, Alex Smith

May 27th, 2014 at 4:26pm CST by Luke Adams

The Chiefs’ OTAs got underway today, and a couple of notable players weren’t in attendance. Here are more details on that story, along with a couple more updates out of Kansas City:

Justin Houston and Brandon Flowers weren’t present today when the Chiefs’ OTAs got underway, reports Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter). Houston, who has recorded 21 total sacks in the last two seasons and is on the books for a base salary of just $1.4MM in 2014, is looking for a new contract, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). The 25-year-old is entering the last year of his rookie deal, so the Chiefs will likely be interested in working something out if they can.
As for Flowers, Paylor isn’t sure why he’s not in attendance, since he’s owed $30MM over the next three years (Twitter link). The cornerback has been the subject of trade rumors lately and there have been rumblings that his style of play may not fit into what Kansas City is trying to do on defense, so perhaps he’s seeking clarification about an uncertain future.
Appearing on the NFL Network today, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said the team is in “open communication” with Alex Smith about a new contract and that he’s confident that something will get done (Twitter link via Marc Sessler of NFL.com). However, Paylor hears something a little different about the extension negotiations, tweeting that a source says contract talks have been “almost nonexistent” within the last few months.
The Chiefs have signed offensive lineman Ryan McKee, who participated in the club’s rookie minicamp, tweets Adam Teicher of ESPN.com. Offensive guard Chandler Burden was cut to clear room for McKee.

Alex Boone Seeking New Contract

May 27th, 2014 at 4:06pm CST by Luke Adams

Having not yet participated in the team’s voluntary offseason workouts, 49ers guard Alex Boone also wasn’t in attendance at today’s OTAs and is seeking a new contract, according to Bill Williamson of ESPN.com. Boone’s current deal runs through the 2015 season, but will only pay him about $3.7MM over the next two seasons.

Considering the sort of contracts guards of his caliber signed for in free agency a couple months ago, Boone represents one of the league’s better bargains, at a base salary of $2MM in 2014 and just $1.2MM in 2015. While Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required) graded the 27-year-old as a middle-of-the-pack starting guard in 2013, Boone ranked third overall in 2012, and has posted excellent run-blocking marks in both of his seasons as a Niners starter.

Boone has workout bonuses worth $50K this season, so he’d be sacrificing some pay if he continues to sit out of San Francisco’s offseason workouts. Considering how much depth the Niners have at the interior line positions, the team may not feel a ton of pressure to make a big offer to its starting right guard, but I wouldn’t be surprised the two sides to negotiate a modest raise for Boone at some point before training camp.

Still, players like Colin Kaepernick, Michael Crabtree, and Mike Iupati are viewed as higher priority extension candidates, and it remains to be seen how much long-term cap flexibility the Niners will have if they hammer out new deals with all those players. As Williamson notes, Boone’s agents, Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod, have had multiple clients hold out in the past, so this will be an interesting situation to watch over the next few weeks.

Minor Moves: 49ers, Jags, Dolphins, Pats

May 27th, 2014 at 3:29pm CST by Luke Adams

We’ll round up several of Tuesday’s minor moves in this post, including a handful of signings and cuts, plus one draftee inking his new rookie contract. Following Memorial Day weekend, here are a handful of today’s transactions:

The 49ers made a series of roster moves today, signing former Stanford linebacker Chase Thomas and USC tight end Kevin Greene. To clear room on the roster for the new additions, the club waived-injured offensive tackle Luke Marquardt and waived linebacker Morgan Breslin with a non-football injury designation.
Fifth-round linebacker Telvin Smith signed his rookie contract with the Jaguars today, tweets Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. As our tracker shows, the Florida State product becomes the fifth of nine Jacksonville draftees to sign.
The Dolphins have added three players to their 90-man roster, signing offensive linemen Samuel Longo and Michael Philipp and defensive tackle Micajah Reynolds, the team announced today (via Twitter). None of the three players have any regular-season NFL experience, though the two linemen spent a little time with the Browns and Reynolds was previously on the Saints’ roster.
A pair of rookie free agents, Troy State’s Wilson Van Hooser and East Carolina’s Reese Wiggins, have signed deals with the Patriots, the club announced in a press release. The two receivers occupy the final spots on New England’s roster, which is now full at 90 players.
Former UTEP linebacker Horace Miller, who tried out for the Seahawks at their rookie minicamp last week, is practicing today with the team, which presumably makes him the final addition to the 90-man roster, reports Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter).

Roddy White Extension Expected By Camp

May 27th, 2014 at 2:38pm CST by Luke Adams

Roddy White and the Falcons had been hoping to hammer out a new contract for the veteran receiver following the draft, but a life situation has put those talks on hold, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. White’s half-brother Tyron Moore Jr. was fatally shot on May 17, and neither the player nor the team feel comfortable negotiating a deal so soon after Moore’s passing.

Still, with White entering the final year of his contract, the two sides are expected to revisit the subject a little later in the offseason. Rapoport writes that an extension is expected to be finalized in time for training camp, and points to Brandon Marshall‘s new three-year, $30MM deal as a potential point of comparison.

After citing Marshall’s deal, Rapoport concedes that the Bears star is a couple years younger than White, which figures to be reflected in their respective contracts. Marshall is also coming off two of his best seasons, while White was slowed by injuries last season and caught just 63 balls for 711 yards, his lowest marks since the 2006 season. As ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure detailed earlier in May, a better comparable for White may be Reggie Wayne, who signed a three-year, $17.5MM extension with the Colts at age 33 — White turns 33 this fall.

Last week, Falcons owner Arthur Blank expressed optimism that White and fellow wideout Julio Jones spend their entire careers in Atlanta, so the team figures to eventually shift its attention to an extension for Jones. The former sixth overall pick is currently under contract through 2015, after the Falcons exercised his fifth-year option for that season.

South Notes: Saints, Titans, Texans, Wharton

May 27th, 2014 at 2:18pm CST by Luke Adams

Chris Broadwater, a member of Louisiana’s House of Representatives and the sponsor of a piece of legislation which would have reduced compensatory benefits for Saints players injured during the offseason, has pulled his support for the bill, writes Emily Lane of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. The announcement comes mere hours before several Saints players were planning to show up at Louisiana State Capitol to express their opposition.

While the development is good news for the NFLPA, Broadwater still hopes that the Saints and the players are able to reach an agreement on workers compensation benefits on their own. As Lane explains, the legislation aimed to “calculate workers’ compensation benefits for professional athletes based only on weekly earnings at the time of the injury, rather than based on average weekly earnings over the entire year.” However, the Saints have indicated they’re willing to compromise on the matter, and discussions are already underway about a solution.

Here’s more from around the NFL’s two South divisions:

Veteran Titans tackle Michael Roos said today that he’s “here for one more year” in Tennessee, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (Twitter link). That quote makes it sound like an extension isn’t on the horizon for Roos, which perhaps isn’t surprising considering the club signed Michael Oher to a four-year deal in free agency and selected Taylor Lewan 11th overall in the draft.
Also at Titans OTAs, Jake Locker said that he spoke to management before the draft and was assured that the club wouldn’t draft a quarterback early (Twitter link via Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com). In a follow-up tweet, ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan notes that the Titans looked at Zach Mettenberger in the fourth round, so perhaps that’s the earliest point that a signal-caller was considered. Tennessee ultimately landed Mettenberger in the sixth round.
As expected, Texans wideout Andre Johnson missed the club’s first OTAs today, writes Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle.
Travelle Wharton, a longtime Panthers offensive lineman who is currently a free agent, continues to sound as if he’s leaning toward retirement, says Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer, passing along quotes from Wharton’s appearance on a Panthers.com podcast.

Eagles Sign Second-Rounder Jordan Matthews

May 27th, 2014 at 1:58pm CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles have signed their sixth of seven draft picks, according to the team, which announced today in a press release that second-round receiver Jordan Matthews has put pen to paper. Matthews’ deal means that first-rounder Marcus Smith is the only Philadelphia draftee who has yet to sign.

The 42nd overall pick earlier this month, Matthews figures to step in right away and contribute to a group of wideouts that also includes Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper. With DeSean Jackson no longer on the roster, there should be a few more targets to go around in 2014, and the Vanderbilt receiver will be in line for many of them.

According to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap, Matthews’ four-year deal has a base value of about $4.949MM, including a signing bonus worth approximately $1.919MM.

Ravens Sign C.J. Mosley

May 27th, 2014 at 1:13pm CST by Luke Adams

The Ravens have locked up their first-round pick, the team confirmed today, announcing in a press release that linebacker C.J. Mosley has signed his rookie deal. As a first-rounder, Mosley will be under contract for four years, with Baltimore holding a club option on his fifth year.

Mosley, who turns 22 next month, was selected 17th overall by the Ravens after playing four years at Alabama. The two-time consensus All-American should receive a signing bonus worth about $4.711MM and a contract with a four-year base value in the neighborhood of $8.788MM, according to Jason Fitzgerald’s figures at Over The Cap.

Now that they’ve secured Mosley, the Ravens have just one more draftee to sign, as our tracker shows. Third-round safety Terrence Brooks is the only Baltimore pick who has yet to reach an agreement with the club.