Month: January 2025

Watt’s Contract Status Highlights Controversial Fifth-Year Option Issue

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt has established himself as one of the premier defensive players in the game. By any measure, Watt is a dominant force and he’s recognized as such. He’s still playing on his rookie contract, however, and will make $1.9MM in base salary plus another $1.67MM in prorated signing bonus. From the team’s perspective, Watt is the ultimate bargain, but Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio says, “the Texans arguably are treating Watt like a chump by not rewarding him now for his contributions and potential.”

For perspective, Watt’s newest running mate, No. 1 overall pick Jedeveon Clowney will make $4.05MM in 2014. Together, Watt’s and Clowney’s combined 2014 cost is $7.62MM, which is less than the Vikings will pay Everson Griffen ($8.2MM combined base salary and prorated signing bonus), who has started one game in four years.

While Watt is deserving of a deal commensurate with his status, Florio isn’t just taking up for him. Instead, he sees Watt as a poster child for a bigger issue, one USA Today’s Jarrett Bell detailed on Friday: the implementation of the fifth-year option, a new contract element introduced as part of the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement, effectively penalizes first-round picks. While 2011 draftees Richard Sherman (fifth round) and Colin Kaepernick (second round) have already landed mega second contracts, first-rounders like Watt can be controlled by their team and kept off the open market for an extra year. From a player’s perspective, that’s a tough pill to swallow given football’s inherent injury risk.

Florio concludes his editorial by saying, “Watt’s case arguably is the most glaring for a league that has yet to sign any of the 2011 first-round picks to second contracts. In a year featuring plenty of holdouts, none of them have taken a stand. It will be interesting to see whether the patience demonstrated by Watt and others will run out if the offseason clock expires without new deals being given to any of the guys picked at the top of the first draft that, thanks to the rookie wage scale, paid them a lot less than they would have earned a year earlier.”

PFR kept track of which 2011 first-round picks had their options exercised by the May 3 deadline. Click here for the full list.

AFC East Links: Gronk, Dolphins, Saunders

Rob Gronkowski‘s impact on the Patriots’ offense is undeniable, but ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wonders, “Are we obsessing over the right issue? Rather than trying to pinpoint Gronkowski’s return to full strength, perhaps it would be more productive (and realistic) to gauge whether the Patriots are any better equipped to play without him than they were last season.” Seifert spoke to colleague Matt Williamson, who is optimistic the Pats are better prepared this year if/when they’re without a healthy Gronk.

Here’s a handful more AFC East links:

  • Dolphins defensive tackle Jared Odrick is a bargain, says ESPN’s James Wilder, but it doesn’t appear the fifth-year defensive tackle should expect a contract extension this season.
  • Rookie defensive tackle Anthony Johnson hopes to be a teammate of Odrick. While the undrafted free agent faces an uphill battle to secure a roster spot, MiamiDolphins.com’s Alain Poupart profiles Johnson and calls him one of team’s most intriguing rookies. A highly coveted recruit out of high school, Johnson looked like a budding star as a sophomore at LSU, but he did not have a strong junior season. Additionally, concerns about his character and work ethic contributed to him tumbling out of the draft despite being considered a second- or third-round talent by some evaluators. If there’s a silver lining for Johnson’s outlook, by virtue of his status as an undrafted free agent, the “boom-or-bust” prospect now becomes a low-risk, high-reward proposition for the Dolphins.
  • The Jets are hoping fourth-round receiver Jalen Saunders establishes himself as a dangerous punt returner, writes ESPN’s Rich Cimini. A smallish, underpowered slot receiver/punt returner, Saunders flashed speed and quickness to flip the field in college. However, Cimini cautions fans there’s no guarantee Saunders’ skills will translate: “I remember when Aaron Glenn came out in 1994 and everybody was raving about his punt-returning prowess in college. Well, he was a bust as a returner.” While Glenn, a first-round pick, was a much more ballyhooed draftee, the Jets will be satisfied if Saunders can provide a spark on special teams and allow Jeremy Kerley to focus on his slot receiver duties.
  • On the Bills website, A.J. Devine looks at five training camp position battles to watch, including the offensive line, where “An influx of young, powerful linemen was one of the highlights of the Bills offseason. It seems as though head coach Doug Marrone has left every position along the line open for competition and will give everyone the opportunity to fight for a starting spot.”

Friday Roundup: Bears, Raiders, Dolphins

To put it mildly, the Bears’ defense struggled last season — they allowed the second-most points and the third-most total yardage in the NFL on the way to finishing 25th in defensive DVOA. But rather than choosing between rebuilding or entering “win-now” mode, Chicago has melded the two approaches as it seeks to revamp its defensive unit, according to John Mullin of CSNChicago.com. During general manager Phil Emery’s tenure, the Bears have focused on defense during the first four rounds of the draft, selecting three linebackers, two defensive tackles, a cornerback, and two safeties in the three-year span. But the team also made several additions this offseason, including Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston, and the recently-signed Adrian Wilson. Emery’s fusing of two divergent strategies may ensure that the Bears will remain competitive while they continue to stockpile young talent that can contribute in the future.

More assorted notes from around the league:

  • The vote regarding the 10-year lease deal between MLB’s Athletics and Coliseum Joint Powers Authority (which operates O.co Coliseum) was cancelled today after four members of the Authority boycotted the meeting, reports Carolyn Jones of the San Francisco Chronicle. As we noted yesterday, any complication of the deal is good news for the Raiders, who want to build a new stadium where the current Coliseum is located.
  • Some Dolphins’ decision-makers would like to make Marcus Thigpen expendable by having rookie Jarvis Landry take over punt-return duties, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. But offensive coordinator Bill Lazor likes Thigpen, so he’s likely to stick on the 53-man roster.
  • Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com takes an early guess as to the Cardinals’ starting offense, and there are several positions up for grabs, including tight end, right guard, and right tackle.
  • If Josh Gordon‘s suspension stands, the Browns will have to rely even more on Jordan Cameron and the rest of their tight end group; with that in mind, ESPN.com’s Pat McManamon takes a overview of the unit.
  • The Cowboys’ offensive line is shaping up to be one of the better front fives in the league, and David Moore of the Dallas Morning News zeroes in on the right guard position. First-rounder Zack Martin will start, and Dallas enjoys enviable depth with veteran Mackenzy Bernadeau backing up the rookie.

NFC South Notes: Underwood, McCown, Cooks

After losing several key contributors from their 2013 receiving corps, the Panthers made Kelvin Benjamin their first-round pick and signed veterans Jason Avant and Jerricho Cotchery. But, as ESPN.com’s David Newton writes (within a preview of the NFC South), there’s one promising Carolina pass-catcher who isn’t garnering much attention: 27-year-old Tiquan Underwood. A seventh-round pick of the Jaguars, Underwood spent last year with the Buccaneers, catching 24 passes for 440 yards and four touchdowns, but ranked as just the 87th-best receiver in the league according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Newton believes that Underwood will act as the Panthers’ deep threat, a role that Ted Ginn Jr. played last season.

  • The Buccaneers signed veteran quarterback Josh McCown this offseason, and at least one Tampa Bay player is pleased with McCown’s play so far. “…Don’t take anything from Glennon; he’s just only in his second year,” linebacker Jonathan Casillas told WEPN-FM in New York (link via Chris Wesseling of NFL.com). “But McCown looks like he’s played a couple of years in this game. It’s a strong comparison, but he reminds me of Drew (Brees), not just the way he throws the ball, but his approach to the game. The first one in, last one out. You know, he’s always around. He’s very (communicative), very personable. And you can tell he’s a born leader.”
  • Presuming that Carl Nicks fails to get healthy, the Buccaneers will be looking for two starting offensive guards, writes Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times in a piece examining Tampa Bay’s position battles. Jamon Meredith and rookie Kadeem Edwards have the early edge, but experienced veteran Oniel Cousins is also an option.
  • Eric Dellaratta of PewterReport.com examines the running back rotation in Tampa Bay, noting that he believes the Buccaneers will end up keeping Doug Martin, rookie Charles Sims, Bobby Rainey, and Jeff Demps (who offers value in the return game).
  • Earlier today, we passed along Doug Farrar of Sports Illustrated’s positive assessment of Brandin Cooks; Knox Bardeen of Bleacher Report concurs, noting that the Saints rookie will help New Orleans overcome the loss of Darren Sproles.
  • Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com thinks the Falcons need to rely on Matt Ryan and the passing game in order to rebound from last year’s abysmal season. However, the Falcons ranked a decent 11th in terms of passing DVOA (per Football Outsiders), but ranked 21st in rushing DVOA, so perhaps an improvement in the running game would be the better way to ameliorate Atlanta’s woes.

AFC East Links: Dolphins, Landry, Pats, Bills

Earlier today, we learned that veteran Daryn Colledge is planning a visit with the Dolphins as Miami attempts to add offensive line depth in the wake of center Mike Pouncey‘s injury. Let’s look at some more notes from South Beach and the rest of the AFC East:

  • There’s no doubt that the Dolphins’ locker room atmosphere suffered last season as a result of strife along the offensive line, but defensive end Cameron Wake disputes that the team is completely rudderless, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. “Obviously, it’s unfortunate what happened [last season] and we’re not going to dive too deep into that,” said the 2013 Pro Bowler. “But, as a whole, you look around this team [and] there are guys that may be vocal or guys that maybe do it by example. We have leaders all over the place.”
  • The Dolphins’ offense needs an upheaval, and new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor is the right coach to lead the unit, opines Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today in a profile of new assistants around the league. Lazor worked wonders with Nick Foles as the quarterbacks coach with the Eagles last season, and Joe Philbin and Co. hope the 42-year-old can do the same with Ryan Tannehill.
  • The Jets drafted safety Calvin Pryor in the first round of last month’s draft, and his presence in the defensive backfield prompts questions about Dawan Landry‘s role, writes Brian Costello of the New York Post. Landry and fellow 2013 starter Antonio Allen graded as the 56th- and 57th-best safeties in the league per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), so Pryor would likely be an improvement over either veteran. Ultimately, Costello believes the team will keep both Landry and Allen and utilize a lot of three-safety schemes.
  • Phil Pryor of CSSNE.com analyzes potential standouts among the Patriots’ undrafted free agent haul, and specifically points to running backs Roy Finch and Stephen Houston as rookies who could have an impact in 2014.
  • Greg Gabriel of the National Football Post previews the 2014 Bills season, writing that although the team is much improved, Buffalo fans will likely watch a 15th straight playoff-free season.

Poll: Most Intriguing NFL Storyline?

Minicamps have wrapped up around the NFL and there’s a bit of a lull prior to training camp. Nevertheless, there are still a number of intriguing stories to focus on.

There’s the Jimmy GrahamSaints standoff, where the two sides are haggling over the player’s position. The Saints slapped the franchise tag on Graham as a tight end, thus assuring him a $7.035MM contract. Considering Graham’s production at the position, the player’s side wanted him designated as a wideout. The difference in salary is significant – Graham would receive $12.312MM as a receiver. A resolution is expected sometime next week.

On the morning after the NBA Draft, Cleveland’s focus isn’t as much on number-one pick Andrew Wiggins. Instead, all eyes are on Browns rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel. The former Heisman winner has been stealing headlines for his off-the-field antics, leading some to question whether he can lead the team to their first playoff appearance since 2002. Manziel addressed his critics earlier today, claiming he wasn’t going to change for anybody.

Wide receiver Andre Johnson remains on the Texans roster, even after he expressed his frustration with the team and skipped the mandatory minicamp. It appears that Johnson wants out of Houston, but plenty of obstacles stand in his way. The wideout has three years remaining on his contract and the team doesn’t seem in any rush to trade their disgruntled star.

Or maybe you’re most interested in the saga surrounding the Redskins. The organization recently lost the trademark on the team’s name, with the U.S. Patent Office declaring that the word is “disparaging to Native Americans” and can’t be trademarked under federal law. However, owner Dan Snyder has not relented on his support for the name.

What do you think is the most intriguing NFL storyline at the end of minicamp? Is there something we forgot? Let us know in the comments.

Browns Notes: Manziel, Gilbert, Bortles

As PFR’s Matt Feminis briefly touched on earlier today, Johnny Manziel remains defiant amid all of the negative press regarding his off-the-field behavior. Manziel, who was attending the NFL Rookie Symposium’s Play 60 youth clinic in Cleveland, said he was planning on maturing instead of completely changing his character. Via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer

I’m not going to change who I am for anybody. I’m growing up and continuing to learn from my mistakes and trying not to make the same ones over and over again, but am I going to live in a shell or am I just going to hide from everybody and not do anything? I don’t think that’s the way I should live my life and I’m not going to do it.

“I’m here, I’m very committed to football. I’m committed to my job, but on the weekends, I’m going to enjoy my time off. We deserve it. We work hard here.

“I am going to enjoy my time off. I’m very about football and very about my job, which doesn’t get reported or won’t get reported, but I am going to enjoy my time off. That’s I think what everybody else does and that’s what I should do.”

Meanwhile, teammate Terrance West didn’t necessarily express frustration towards Manziel. However, was the rookie running back annoyed about the continuing questions about the quarterback’s antics? Mary Kay Cabot has the answer:

“Yes, because it’s a distraction,” West said. “We’re here to play football and it’s all about all of his off-the-field stuff, so it’s a distraction.

“He’s enjoying life. He’s not doing anything negative. He’s not getting arrested or getting DUIs or anything like that. I don’t think it’s a big deal. Everyone’s supposed to enjoy life and have fun.”

Additionally, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that team owner Jimmy Haslam was turned off by a particular Manziel video and asked the quarterback to “tone it down” (Cabot has the story on Cleveland.com).

Let’s see what else is going within the organization…

  • The Browns other first-round pick, cornerback Justin Gilbert, didn’t sound optimistic when asked if he’d sign his contract prior to training camp. “I don’t know,” Gilbert said (via Fox Sport Ohio’s Fred Greetham). “They’re still working on it.”
  • Jaguars rookie quarterback Blake Bortles, who was also in Cleveland for the youth clinic, wasn’t expecting to be drafted third overall. In fact, he originally thought there was a better chance of being picked by the Browns. “I had no idea. I was as surprised as anybody else when they called me,” Bortles said (via the Morning-Journal’s Jeff Schudel). “I definitely thought there was more of a possibility I’d be here (Cleveland) than Jacksonville, but that’s not the way it turned out and I couldn’t be happier to be where I am.”
  • When it comes to “diamonds in the rough” among the wide receiver depth, Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com points to undrafted rookie Chandler Jones (via Twitter). The former San Jose State Spartan finished 2013 with 79 catches for 1,356 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was signed by the Browns in the middle of May.

Free Agent Notes: Roby, Nwaneri, Colledge

Here are a handful of free agent notes from around the NFL. We’ll continue to update this post throughout the night as more news rolls in…

  • The Falcons have signed veteran wide receiver Courtney Roby, reports Fox Sports’ Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). The 31-year-old’s best season came as a rookie in 2005, when he caught 21 passes for 289 yards with the Titans. Roby appeared in 57 games with Saints from 2009-2012, where he returned 75 kicks for 1,939 yards and served as the team’s special team’s captain.
  • The Cowboys have officially announced the signing of veteran guard Uche Nwaneri, who was reported to be heading to Dallas earlier this week. To make room on the roster, the team placed guard Tyronne Green on the reserved/injured list.
  • Offensive lineman Daryn Colledge is planning on visiting the Dolphins, reports Jason Cole of the National Football Post (via Twitter). The team is seeking a center after losing starter Mike Pouncey, who underwent hip surgery earlier this week. Colledge, a former second-round pick, spent five years with the Packers prior to joining the Cardinals.

NFC Links: Graham, Davis, Giants

It’s been more than a week since the beginning of Jimmy Graham‘s hearing over his franchise tag designation. Those who are antsy for a solution may have to wait a bit longer – sources tell ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio that a ruling isn’t expected until next week. Even then, the losing party will likely appeal the decision. The entire process could stretch beyond July 15, the deadline for inking a long-term deal.

Additionally, we learned some more interesting information about the hearing. Florio reports that Saints head coach Sean Payton testified against Graham, but the specifics weren’t known. We can likely assume one thing, however – if Graham loses his case, Payton’s going to have some difficulty convincing his tight end to participate in “wide receiver drills” during training camp.

Let’s see what else is happening around the NFC…

Redskins Notes: Jackson, Hocker, Minnifield

Rumors of gang connections surrounded DeSean Jackson following his release from the Eagles. The current Redskins wideout previously distanced himself from the accusations, and Jackson again hushed the gossip in an interview with ESPN The Magazine’s Cord Jefferson.

Jackson said that he knows people in gangs, but has never been affiliated. Furthermore, the alleged gang signals the wideout has displayed in games were purely shoutouts to his friends.

“If I score a touchdown or make a play and my boys at home can see me throwing up the area we’re from, that’s me showing them love,” Jackson said. “They weren’t fortunate enough to make it where I’m at. All my friends wanted to be in the NFL growing up, but they weren’t able to do that, and I was. That doesn’t mean I forgot about them. They’re my boys, I grew up with them, and I’m going to give them love.”

Gayle Jackson, DeSean’s mother, weighed in on the outside influences.

“Those guys gravitated toward him because he had structure in his life,” she said. “A lot of time I was trying to chase these cats away. I told him it would catch up with him and that people don’t understand, so he should leave those guys alone. He told me, ‘Mom, you can’t treat people like that.'”

Let’s check out some more Redskins notes, all via the mailbag of ESPN.com’s John Keim

  • If the Redskins decide to roll the dice with rookie kicker Zach Hocker, Keim believes it will be a gamble. However, Hocker’s main opponent, Kai Forbath, had never attempted a kick in the NFL prior to signing with the team in 2012.
  • Keim says Chase Minnifield‘s chances of making the Redskins will come down to whether the team decides to keep six cornerbacks. Of course, injuries could help his chances. Reversely, the presence of Richard Crawford could hurt those chances.
  • In regards to backups on the offensive line, Keim sides with Mike McGlynnMorgan MosesSpencer Long and Josh LeRibeus. If the team carries an additional lineman, Tom Compton could also make the roster.
  • Assuming the defensive line starters are Chris BakerBarry Cofield and Jason Hatcher, Keim chooses Jarvis JenkinsStephen Bowen and Kedric Golston as the three backups.