HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

AFC Notes: Ravens, Broncos, Raiders, Jets

July 16th, 2014 at 10:01am CST by Luke Adams

While it seems as if Andre Johnson may not be in attendance when the Texans open training camp later this month, teammate Arian Foster says he plans to support whatever decision Johnson makes.

“I understand where he’s coming from,” Foster said, per John Brannen of Click2Houston.com. “I really do. This is a business and people forget that it’s a business. He’s at the point of his career where he doesn’t want money now. He just wants to go win.”

Here’s more from around the AFC:

  • Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun expects the Ravens to keep six wide receivers, with five locks. In Zrebiec’s view, Jeremy Butler, Deonte Thompson, and LaQuan Williams will be the primary competitors for that sixth and final spot.
  • In his latest mailbag, Mike Klis of the Denver Post doesn’t rule out the possibility that the Broncos will make one more noteworthy signing this summer, suggesting that he thinks a veteran running back could be added to the roster.
  • Oakland mayor Jean Quan wants to postpone the City Council vote on the Athletics’ new lease agreement with O.co Coliseum while a few details on the agreement are clarified, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. “She is confident they will join her in supporting a lease that secures the team’s near-term future in Oakland, protects the ongoing Coliseum City negotiations with the Raiders, and lets us all move forward working on new ballparks for both teams,” Quan spokesman Sean Maher said.
  • The Jets‘ signing of Eric Decker doesn’t have much downside, according to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap, who identifies Decker’s contract as the best on the team. On the other end of the spectrum, David Harris‘ deal is the least team-friendly on the Jets’ books, in Fitzgerald’s estimation.
  • Jordan Cameron (Browns), Julius Thomas (Broncos), and Devin McCourty (Patriots) are among the players that could be candidates for the franchise tag in 2015, says Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today.

Freeman’s Latest: Davis, Browns, Ravens, Rice

July 16th, 2014 at 8:50am CST by Luke Adams

Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report checks in this morning with the latest installment of his regular 10-Point Stance feature, and the piece includes several notable tidbits from around the NFL. Let’s dive in and round up the highlights….

  • For now, all indications are that 49ers tight end Vernon Davis will hold out in hopes of signing a new contract. That could change, according to Freeman, who isn’t convinced Davis will “actually take the leap” into a full-fledged holdout, but that seems to be the tight end’s plan at the moment.
  • At least one member of the Browns‘ coaching staff was pleased to see LeBron James decide to return to Cleveland because of the potential impact it could have on a certain rookie quarterback. “There will not be a better mentor for Johnny [Manziel] than LeBron,” said the coach. As Freeman explains, the Browns hope LeBron can show Manziel how to be “smart about his public image while also enjoying his stardom.”
  • After Jimmy Smith became the fifth Ravens player to be arrested this offseason, Freeman suggests that the club’s front office “won’t put up with this type of nonsense for much longer.”
  • Another of those Ravens who ran into legal trouble this year, Ray Rice, is still waiting to hear from the NFL about a suspension. According to Freeman, a two- to three-game ban is the likely scenario. As for Colts owner Jim Irsay, Freeman is hearing that he’s expected to receive a multigame suspension as well as a seven-figure fine.

AFC Notes: Texans, Chiefs, Jets, Raiders

July 15th, 2014 at 10:01pm CST by Zachary Links

After a four-year stint in Kansas City, Texans safety and New Orleans native Kendrick Lewis is happy to be closer to home, writes Hank Brady of The Times-Picayune. Now that he’s closer to home, he’s started a football camp for children from the area. “It’s just a blessing to be able to come out here and get with these kids from these same playgrounds, these same parks and these same high schools,” said Lewis. “This (camp) is really important. It’s something that we’ve been meaning to do for a while now.” More from around the NFL..

  • The Chiefs cut defensive tackle Risean Broussard from injured reserve, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
  • Seth Walder of the New York Daily News looks at five Jets players who need to perform well in training camp in order to make the roster. Stephen Hill, Tajh Boyd, Antonio Allen, Jacoby Ford and Quincy Enunwa have lots to prove, in Walder’s view.
  • The Raiders made stopgap solutions this offseason rather than look for younger players that could help them going forward, and that could wind up hurting them, writes Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today. The new crew of veterans could create an atmosphere that attracts young talent, but if it doesn’t, GM Reggie McKenzie will have to answer for that.
  • Panthers Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy was found guilty Tuesday night of assaulting a female and communicating threats, writes Steve Reed of the Associated Press. It’s unclear at this point how the verdict will affect Hardy’s long-term future with the Panthers. Hardy will play out the 2014 season before hitting the open market next offseason.

NFC Notes: Revis, 49ers, Graham, Cowboys

July 15th, 2014 at 9:49pm CST by Zachary Links

Cutting Darrelle Revis wasn’t easy for Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith, as Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com writes. “It was not an easy decision because Darrelle’s a great player. But he’s not the only great player in the league. We just felt like we needed, instead of having one great player we thought we could get three. Instead of having one real good player, we felt like we could get three real good players,” Smith said. More out of the NFC..

  • A source tells Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (on Twitter) that former UNC linebacker Darius Lipford had a good workout for the 49ers today but he was not signed. Lipford was one of four players in this year’s supplemental draft.
  • Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap gives his thoughts on the impact of Jimmy Graham‘s contract with the Saints. While the four-year, $40MM is the largest ever given to a tight end, the three-year cash flows indicate that this deal won’t necessarily be a game changer. With a backloaded deal, Graham’s contract isn’t as far ahead of the contracts given to Rob Gronkowski or Vernon Davis.
  • Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com wonders if Graham’s new deal will set the baseline for Cowboys star receiver Dez Bryant. Even though Bryant and Graham (officially, now) play different positions, their numbers have been rather similar over the last three years, so a comp would make some sense. There are currently seven wide receivers earning an average annual value of at least $10MM: Brandon Marshall, Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Percy Harvin, Mike Wallace, Dwayne Bowe, and Vincent Jackson.

Colts Sign Chad Anderson

July 15th, 2014 at 9:14pm CST by Zachary Links

The Colts announced on their website that they have signed offensive lineman Chad Anderson. To make room for the guard, the Colts waived undrafted rookie defensive end Gannon Conway.

Anderson, a 6’3″, 321 pound lineman, comes to Indianapolis by way of the LA Kiss of the Arena Football League. Anderson started 32-of-35 career collegiate games and was a three-time letterman at Northern Michigan. He made 32 consecutive starts over his final three seasons, including the last 21 at the right tackle position. As a senior in 2013, he blocked for an offense that averaged 352.8 total yards per game, including 231.7 yards passing and 121.1 yards rushing.

Conway, signed in June after being waived by the Dolphins, was a UDFA out of Arizona State. In 30 career games (14 starts) for the Sun Devils, he recorded 51 tackles (33 solo), nine tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and two passes defensed.

Pigskin Links: Belichick, Gerhart, Saints

July 15th, 2014 at 7:24pm CST by Zachary Links

Here at Pro Football Rumors, we deliver up-to-the-minute news on NFL transactions and high-quality original analysis. In addition to that, we also feature some of the best blog articles from around the web in our weekly feature, Pigskin Links.

We’re looking for interesting reads on all things football from blogs of all sizes. While PFR is dedicated to player movement, Pigskin Links is open to pieces on all areas of the game. If you would like to suggest your blog post (or someone else’s) for Pigskin Links, send Zach an email with the link and a brief synopsis at PigskinLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s look around the football blogosphere..

 Got a great football blog post that you want to see featured in next week’s Pigskin Links? Email it to Zach or tweet it to him: @ZachLinks.

No Extensions For Brian Orakpo, Greg Hardy

July 15th, 2014 at 5:44pm CST by Luke Adams

While Jimmy Graham struck an 11th hour agreement with the Saints on a long-term deal, two of his fellow franchise tag recipients didn’t sign multiyear extensions in advance of today’s deadline. Instead, Brian Orakpo of the Redskins and Greg Hardy of the Panthers will play the 2014 season on one-year contracts, and will be eligible for unrestricted free agency again in 2015.

Both Orakpo and Hardy signed their one-year franchise tenders several months ago, so no further negotiations with their respective clubs are necessary this year. Orakpo, who ranked fourth among 3-4 outside linebackers in 2013 according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required), will earn an $11.455MM salary for 2014, while Hardy, who has racked up 26 total sacks in the last two seasons, has a ’14 salary worth $13.116MM.

Orakpo and Hardy will be eligible for the franchise tag again next March, but given how pricey those tags will be, a contract extension or a trip to the free agent market appears more likely for each pass rusher. The 2014 season figures to go a long way to determining each player’s long-term future with his club, especially considering the Redskins employ two more promising outside linebackers in Ryan Kerrigan and second-round rookie Trent Murphy, while the Panthers has already heavily invested in their other defensive end, Charles Johnson.

Hardy spent most of Tuesday’s deadline day in court, where he is defending himself on misdemeanor assault charges, as Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer has been detailing on his Twitter account.

AFC Notes: Pouncey, Rubin, Broncos, Colts

July 15th, 2014 at 4:16pm CST by Luke Adams

It’s been a tumultuous year for Dolphins center Mike Pouncey, who recently underwent hip surgery that will sideline him for the start of the 2014 season and was accused of assault following his birthday party in South Florida. However, it appears one piece of good fortune is coming Pouncey’s way — according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald, it seems unlikely that the center will face any discipline from the NFL over his alleged involvement in last year’s bullying scandal.

“Never say never,” said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, when asked if the league expected to have any updates on Pouncey’s status. “But I don’t anticipate having to address the issue again.”

Of course, on the heels of that story, Beasley had more details on the recent incident at Pouncey’s birthday, reporting that the purported victim intends to sue Pouncey and his brother Maurkice Pouncey for their alleged role in the physical altercation at Cameo nightclub. As we wait to see what comes of the suit, here’s more from around the AFC:

  • Ahtyba Rubin‘s long-term future with the Browns is uncertain, but he didn’t become a cap casualty this offseason as had been speculated, and hopes to eventually finish his career with the club, writes Tom Reed of the Northeast Ohio Media Group.
  • Jon Heath of the Mile High Report spoke to former agent Joel Corry about what sort of contract Broncos tight end Julius Thomas might be looking for in extension talks. The figures and points of comparison suggested by Corry were similar to the ones I put forward when I explored Thomas’ case for an extension earlier this month.
  • Kevin Bowen of Colts.com poses some burning questions facing the Colts‘ pass catchers at wide receiver and tight end heading into training camp.
  • Speaking to Neil Reynolds of Sky Sports (hat tip to NFL.com), Dolphins wideout Mike Wallace suggested he may get a chance to return kicks for the club this year. Wallace, whose cap hit is the largest on Miami’s roster in 2014, is entering the second season of the five-year pact he signed with the team in 2013.

 

Redskins Sign Stephen Campbell

July 15th, 2014 at 2:51pm CST by Luke Adams

The Redskins have made a minor roster move, according to the team, announcing today (via Twitter) that fullback Stephen Cambell has signed with the club. Washington had an open spot on its 90-man roster following the indefinite suspension handed down to safety Tanard Jackson.

Campbell, a West Virginia Wesleyan product from 2009 to 2012, totaled 65 receptions for 625 yards and eight touchdowns during his college career. The running back signed with the Colts as a free agent this past April, but was cut after the draft when the team brought in a new group of undrafted rookies.

While he figures to enter training camp next week with the Redskins, Campbell will be an extreme long shot to earn a spot on the club’s regular season roster.

Jimmy Graham, Saints Agree To Four-Year Deal

July 15th, 2014 at 1:59pm CST by Luke Adams

The Saints and Jimmy Graham have agreed to a new contract that will keep the tight end in New Orleans. The scoop comes from Graham himself, who tweeted, “It’s official I’m bleeding black and gold this morning! Thank you WhoDatNation for all the support.” Shortly thereafter, agent Jimmy Sexton confirmed to Andrew Brandt of ESPN (Twitter link) that a deal is in place and the Saints made an announcement of their own (Twitter link).Jimmy Graham

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), it’ll be a four-year, $40MM contract, with $21MM in guaranteed money. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk clarifies that only $13MM of that total (a $12MM signing bonus, plus a $1MM 2014 base salary) is fully guaranteed at the time of signing, but there’s virtually no chance the team will be cutting Graham loose before next year’s $8MM salary becomes guaranteed, since it would result in $9MM in dead money on the cap and allow the tight end to hit free agency.

Brandt adds (via Twitter) that the deal includes another $9MM in 2016 and $10MM in 2017, meaning the annual cap hits are $4MM, $11MM, $12MM, and $13MM, respectively. The $10MM average annual value on Graham’s new contract makes him the highest-paid tight end in NFL history, surpassing the per-year average on deals signed by Rob Gronkowski ($9MM) and – previously – by Dallas Clark ($9.185MM).

The agreement between Graham and the Saints comes just ahead of the July 15 deadline for franchise players to work out multiyear extensions with their respective clubs. If the two sides hadn’t struck a deal by 3:00pm central time today, Graham would only have been able to play the 2014 season on a one-year contract, giving the Saints the opportunity to use its franchise tag on him again in 2015.

Graham, a former third-round pick, was franchised by the Saints several months ago and was the only player who received the tag and didn’t quickly accept the one-year tender or work out a longer-term deal. Before the 27-year-old agreed to re-sign with the Saints, he filed a grievance disputing his positional designation — the $7.035MM franchise tag for tight ends was significantly less than the $12.312MM he would have earned if he had instead been tagged as a receiver. Graham lined up split out from the offensive line on two-thirds of his snaps in 2013, so his camp felt he had a strong case to be franchised as a wideout rather than a tight end.

However, arbitrator Stephen Burbank ruled in favor of the Saints, determining that a number of factors contributed to Graham being viewed as a tight end. While the NFL’s CBA dictates that a franchise player’s position is the one “at which the franchise player participated in the most plays during the prior league year,” Burbank’s ruling hinged on the fact that Graham participates in tight end meetings, was drafted as a tight end, and lists himself as a tight end on his Twitter page, among other reasons. Burbank also determined that Graham was technically playing tight end when he was detached from but still close to the offensive line — specifically, when he was lined up within four yards of the o-line, which happened a majority of the time.

Graham’s camp filed an appeal challenging Burbank’s decision yesterday, but that was viewed as a procedural move, designed to increase leverage in negotiations and to ensure that Graham could attempt to maximize his 2014 earnings in the event that he and the Saints were unable to compromise on a multiyear extension. That appeal is expected to be dropped now that the two sides have seemingly agreed to a longer pact.

Graham has been the league’s most consistent and productive tight end over the last three years, averaging 90 receptions, 1,169 yards, and 12 touchdowns per season during that span. He figures to continue acting as Drew Brees‘ favorite offensive weapon for years to come after his contract negotiations closely followed the script that Brees and the Saints set two years ago — during the 2012 offseason, Brees was franchised by New Orleans and ultimately worked out a five-year contract with the club just before the July deadline.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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