2014 July - Pro Football Rumors

Minor Moves: Wednesday

July 30th, 2014 at 5:45pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are today’s minor transactions from around the NFL, with the latest moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:

Quarterback Kory Faulkner, waived Tuesday by the 49ers, cleared waivers and is now free to sign with any team, tweets Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Guard Fou Fonoti cleared waivers as well and now reverts to SF’s injured reserve.
The Browns have signed offensive lineman Ryan Lee, the team announced today (via Twitter). By our count, Cleveland had three openings on its roster, so the club won’t need to waive anyone.
Wide receiver Gerrard Sheppard, who spent most of last season the Ravens’ practice squad, was claimed off waivers by the Packers today after being cut by Baltimore, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Green Bay had an open spot on its 90-man roster, so no corresponding move is necessary.
In order to make room for McDonough, whose signing is noted below, the Redskins have waived-injured former Hampton cornerback Courtney Bridget, Jay Gruden confirmed today (Twitter link via Zac Boyer of the Washington Times).

Earlier updates:

Defensive linemen Cody Larsen and Will Pericak have signed with the Broncos, the team announced today (link via the Denver Post). Both players’ NFL experience is limited to preseason action and time spent on practice squads. The moves increase Denver’s roster count to 89, leaving one additional opening.
With a couple defensive backs banged up in camp, the Buccaneers have added some depth by signing cornerback Kip Edwards, who went undrafted in 2013 and has spent time with the Browns, Bills, and Vikings (Twitter link via Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com). The club used the spot vacated by recently released guard Carl Nicks to fit Edwards onto the 90-man roster.
The Redskins have signed defensive tackle Jake McDonough, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. So far, the move has been confirmed by McDonough’s agent, but not the team — when it becomes official, Washington should have to cut a player to make room.

AFC Notes: Alex Smith, Gordon, Raiders

July 30th, 2014 at 4:22pm CST by Luke Adams

Alex Smith and the Chiefs have both expressed optimism about reaching a long-term contract agreement before the 2014 season gets underway, but the quarterback indicated today there will come a time when a resolution must be reached one way or the other, so that it’s not a distraction during the season (link via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star).

“You’re finally gonna cross a line where it’s like, it’s just football from here on out and I’m done not only talking about it with you guys, but even behind the scenes as well,” Smith said. “We talk about eliminating distractions and that’s a part of it. The focus needs to be on ball.”

Smith didn’t give an indication of when this deadline would arrive, but it’s probably safe to assume that he doesn’t want talks dragging past opening day, which would give the two sides a few more weeks to work something out. Here’s more from across the AFC:

After reports surfaced suggesting Josh Gordon‘s reps would argue that his failed drug test was a result of second-hand smoke, the NFL has countered by pointing out that the agreement in place between the league and NFLPA dictates that players are responsible for what is in their bodies. ESPN.com’s Pat McManamon has the details.
Meanwhile, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes that Gordon’s potential suspension will be an all-or-nothing scenario, since the appeal hearing officer can’t arbitrarily land on a penalty between zero games and a full season. A compromise could still be negotiated, but once the process reaches the point where the hearing officer makes a decision, that ruling will stick.
The owners of nearby franchises weighed in on the Raiders‘ possible interest in San Antonio, with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones not making much of the story (link via Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram), while Texans owner Bob McNair suggested that Texans fans would make up half the crowd at a San Antonio game (link via John McClain of the Houston Chronicle).
Perhaps responding to Mark Davis‘ visit to San Antonio, Oakland mayor Jean Quan took to Twitter last night to announce that the city is “seeing progress” on a new stadium for the Raiders as well as MLB’s Athletics.
After signing an extension through 2015 today, Bills running back Fred Jackson suggested he’d like to play for three or four more seasons, tweets ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak.
Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap is a fan of the Colts’ offseason signing of Hakeem Nicks, identifying the wideout’s contract as the best one on the team’s books. Linebacker Erik Walden gets the dubious honor of least team-friendly deal for Indianapolis, according to Fitzgerald.

Bills Sign Fred Jackson To Extension

July 30th, 2014 at 3:05pm CST by Luke Adams

The oldest running back in the NFL has received a contract extension, according to the Bills, who announced today in a press release that they’ve locked up Fred Jackson beyond this season. Per Tim Graham of the Buffalo News (via Twitter), the new deal will keep Jackson under contract through 2015, extending his current deal by a year.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) adds further salary details, reporting that Jackson’s one-year extension is worth $2.6MM, with up to $1MM in additional incentives. The longtime Bill is slated to earn a base salary of $2.45MM this season, plus a few modest bonuses, so the extra year comes in at about the same rate, with the opportunity for a raise if he continues to perform at a high level.

Despite turning 33 this past winter, Jackson had one of his best seasons in 2013, compiling 1,277 total yards from scrimmage and setting a career high with 10 total touchdowns. The veteran running back, who has spent seven years with the Bills, carried the ball 206 times and caught a career-high 47 passes.

Heading into 2014, Jackson figures to split time with C.J. Spiller and the newly-acquired Bryce Brown, with Anthony Dixon providing depth. While that may seem like a crowded backfield, no NFL club gave its running backs more total carries last season than Buffalo, so there should be plenty of touches to go around.

With an extension in hand, Jackson joins Brown and Dixon as backs under contract beyond 2014, so it’s not clear whether Spiller, who is on an expiring deal, will have a long-term future in Buffalo.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

East Notes: Bryant, Lawrence, Fins, Bradham

July 30th, 2014 at 2:08pm CST by Luke Adams

The big news out of the NFL’s two East divisions today relates to Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith, who reached an agreement with the club on a $98MM extension that will keep him under contract through 2023. We have a few other East notes to round up though, including an item on how Smith’s new deal could affect one of his teammates. Let’s dive in….

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) believes that, after extending Smith, it would be “nearly impossible” for the Cowboys make a big long-term commitment to Dez Bryant now. The signing bonus on Smith’s contract isn’t massive, so I think the Cowboys would still have the flexibility to get something done this year if they really wanted to. Still, Rapoport adds that there hasn’t been much progress between the two sides, and that Bryant may benefit from playing out the season without a new deal.
34th overall pick Demarcus Lawrence suffered a fractured foot in practice this week and is expected to miss eight to 12 weeks, according to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. That’s a significant blow for the Cowboys, who liked Lawrence enough that they traded their third-round selection in May’s draft to move up and snag the young edge defender.
Free agent center Samson Satele remains on the Dolphins’ radar, and the team still may return to him at some point, but the team continues to hope its internal options can handle the position in Mike Pouncey’s absence, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Bills linebacker Nigel Bradham has been suspended for the first game of the regular season for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, per Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter links). Considering it’s just a one-game suspension, it’s likely for Bradham’s 2013 arrest for marijuana possession, rather than a failed test, Garafolo notes.

Cowboys Sign Tyron Smith To Extension

July 30th, 2014 at 1:18pm CST by Luke Adams

1:18pm: According to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter and Todd Archer (Twitter link), Smith’s new contract includes a $10MM signing bonus and $40MM in overall guaranteed money. As is the case with any newly-reported deal, we’ll have to wait to see how much of that $40MM is fully guaranteed, or guaranteed for injury only.

1:02pm: The Cowboys have signed offensive tackle Tyron Smith to a contract extension, the team announced today, according to Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (via Twitter). Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links) refers to the agreement as an eight-year “mega-extension,” adding that it’s worth $98MM. Taking into account the two years remaining on Smith’s current deal, the new pact will keep the standout left tackle under contract for the next 10 years, easily making him the only player in the league under contract through 2023.

Smith, 2011′s ninth overall pick, had his work on the outside of the Cowboys’ line recognized with a Pro Bowl nod last season for the first time, and his Pro Football Focus grades suggest he was worthy of that spot, with his performance placing him among the top five tackles in the NFL (subscription required).

It was the second time in three NFL seasons that PFF graded Smith as a top-five player at the position, though in his rookie season that ranking came at right tackle, rather than left. During his first year on the left side in 2012, Smith’s grades slipped a little, particularly as a pass-blocker, but his play in 2013, combined with his age (23) suggest we should expect to see the USC product continue to develop into one of the league’s elite offensive linemen.

The new mega-deal for Smith comes on the heels of Patrick Peterson‘s agreement with the Cardinals, and it’s hard not to connect the dots between the two, since Peterson became the first 2011 first-round pick to sign a contract extension with his club. Most 2011 first-rounders have struggled to gain traction in extension negotiations this year, since teams have already exercised 2015 options on the players they want to retain, reducing the players’ leverage so far from free agency. However, Peterson’s extension seems to have opened the door for other clubs to work out new contracts with their top 2011 draftees.

Taking into account his $2MM+ salary for 2014 and his $10MM+ salary for 2015, Smith should be eligible to earn a total of about $110MM over the next 10 years, assuming he plays out this contract. That works out to an average value of $11MM annually, with the eight new seasons averaging over $12MM per year. When I examined Smith as an extension candidate last month, I suggested that an annual value of $12MM+ seemed within range, adding that I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cowboys star surpassed Joe Thomas to become the NFL’s highest-paid tackle. Thomas’ $80.5MM contract averages $11.5MM annually.

With Smith locked up, the Cowboys figure to turn their attention to their other major extension candidate: Dez Bryant.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Packers Extend GM Ted Thompson

July 30th, 2014 at 12:57pm CST by Luke Adams

General manager Ted Thompson has signed a new multiyear contract extension with the Packers, the team announced today in a press release. While the release didn’t include details on how long Thompson’s new deal runs, it appears the GM will remain in Green Bay for the foreseeable future, considering he already had two years left on his previous contract.

“I’m pleased that we were able to enter into this contract extension with Ted,” said Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy. “His outstanding work has been the key factor in the success that we’ve enjoyed in recent years. I have tremendous respect for Ted, and am confident that we will continue to contend for championships under his leadership.”

The seventh-longest-tenured general manager in the NFL, Thompson is entering his 10th season at the helm of the franchise. During his stint in Green Bay, the team has earned six playoff berths and only had a losing record twice. Of course, the club also won the Super Bowl following the 2010 season.

While there had been some speculation that Thompson could opt to retire soon, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported earlier this week that he didn’t envision the GM leaving the Packers anytime soon.

49ers Reach Out To Alex Boone

July 30th, 2014 at 12:08pm CST by Luke Adams

The 49ers have recently reached out to offensive lineman Alex Boone, one of two notable NFC West players in the midst of a holdout, but Boone “remains resolute in his stance,” reports Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. The guard, like Marshawn Lynch in Seattle, has yet to report to training camp as he pushes for a new contract.

Boone, the Niners’ starting right guard in each of the last two seasons, is in line for a $2MM base salary this season and just $1.2MM in 2015. Having been an instrumental part of one of the league’s best offensive lines in recent years, the 27-year-old is looking for a raise to a level that more accurately reflects his talent. Currently, Boone ranks as the 43rd-highest-paid guard in the NFL.

As we heard last night, the 49ers recently restructured the contract of linebacker Ahmad Brooks, opening up $2MM+ in cap space. San Francisco didn’t have a ton of cap flexibility heading into training camp, so that $2MM could come in handy in creating wiggle room for a Boone extension. If the two sides aren’t able to reach an agreement, the Niners could also put those cap savings toward a new deal for extension candidates Michael Crabtree and/or Mike Iupati.

By not reporting to training camp, Boone is subject to escalating fines — by rule, the Niners are now free to go after a portion of Boone’s prorated signing bonus, as well as continuing to penalize him for each day of camp he misses.

North Notes: Green, Browns, Ike, Rudolph

July 30th, 2014 at 10:50am CST by Luke Adams

As August approaches, and preseason NFL action nears, let’s round up the latest from out of the league’s two North divisions….

In the wake of Patrick Peterson‘s new five-year contract extension, Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer explores what sort of effect – if any – Peterson’s deal will have on contract talks for fellow 2011 first-rounder A.J. Green. As Dehner writes, the Bengals wideout will likely be less affected by Peterson’s extension than by contracts potentially signed by receivers Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant, who are both eligible for free agency in 2015.
Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com believes that a “perfect storm of events,” including Roger Goodell being under fire for his lenient suspension of Ray Rice, could result in Josh Gordon‘s potential one-year suspension being reduced.
Former UAB offensive tackle Kaycee Ike, who was signed and then waived by the Steelers after he went undrafted this year, is working out for the Browns today, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap provides the full breakdown of Kyle Rudolph‘s new contract with the Vikings. The deal includes annual per-game roster bonuses of up to $250K and workout bonuses worth $100K, starting in 2015.

Only Three Initial Bidders For Bills

July 30th, 2014 at 10:36am CST by Luke Adams

10:36am: A source tells the Buffalo News that Golisano still believes he is eligible to go after the Bills, and could submit a bid to Morgan Stanley later this week.

“His plan is to call Morgan Stanley and ask: ‘Are you interested in another bid?'” the source said. “He’s not out of it yet.”

The report also notes that Business First reporter James Fink said on WBEN radio this morning that he hears Pegula’s bid was worth $1.3 billion.

8:30am: Initial bids for the Buffalo Bills were due yesterday afternoon, and according to John Kryk of the Toronto Sun, two surprising developments could have a significant impact on the sale process. Kryk reports that former Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano, who had been viewed as a prospective buyer for the Bills, did not submit a bid in advance of the deadline, and that Morgan Stanley – the investment bank overseeing the sale – only received three initial bids in total.

Per Kryk, those three bids came from groups that had been viewed as the favorites: Jon Bon Jovi, MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum, and the Rogers family; current Sabres owner Terry Pegula, who is said to have bid more than $1 billion, according to Josh Kosman and Lois Weiss of the New York Post; and multi-billionaire Donald Trump. A report over the weekend indicated that it would be a surprise if Bon Jovi’s group and Pegula weren’t the two finalists, with Trump himself admitting this week that he didn’t view himself as a frontrunner in the process.

As Kryk notes, Golisano had stated earlier this summer that he intended to bid on the Bills, and sources as recently as two weeks ago were saying the same thing, so his silence is unusual. Kryk speculates that Golisano, who is viewed as “a renegade when it comes to high-stakes business deals,” may have been making a statement on something he dislikes about the process, and could still end up getting involved. A source tells Jerry Zremski of the Buffalo News that Golisano and others may wait until the last minute to bid in order to get a sense of who is involved and what they’re willing to invest — perhaps those prospective bidders didn’t view Tuesday as a hard deadline.

Still, for Golisano or others to re-enter the mix, Morgan Stanley may have to quietly extend that deadline for initial bids before moving on to the next step of the process. Although Kryk points out that the firm had reportedly been “combing Wall Street” over the last couple months in an effort to identify potential bidders to add to the process, it seems that search came up empty.

We’ll have to wait and see what Morgan Stanley’s next step is, but for now, it appears as if the bidders who submitted notices of intent yesterday could become the finalists for the Bills by default.

Poll: Who Will Win The NFC South?

July 30th, 2014 at 9:55am CST by Luke Adams

The NFC South was a two-team race in 2013, with the 12-4 Panthers ultimately eking out the division title over the 11-5 Saints. However, unlike in most of the NFL’s other divisions, the defending NFC South champions aren’t the frontrunners to take the crown again in 2014 — betting side Bovada.lv has New Orleans as the odds-on favorites to win the South.

The Saints certainly look good heading into the season, having added first-round wideout Brandin Cooks to an already explosive offense and signed star safety Jairus Byrd to fortify the secondary. But they aren’t a lock to win one of the league’s most intriguing divisions.

According to Bovada, the Panthers aren’t even the second-most likely club to win the South in 2014. That distinction goes to the Falcons, who won the division in 2012 before unexpectedly slipping to 4-12 last season. Having revamped their offensive and defensive lines this offseason – with rookie tackle Jake Matthews, guard Jon Asamoah, and defensive linemen Paul Soliai and Tyson Jackson among the new additions – the Falcons are poised to bounce back.

Another 2013 underperformer, the Buccaneers, shouldn’t be ruled out as a contender either. As our Zach Links detailed last night, Tampa Bay’s ’13 season was derailed by controversy surrounding then-coach Greg Schiano and then-quarterback Josh Freeman, but the club has made a number of interesting offseason moves, including signing defensive end Michael Johnson and drafting Texas A&M receiver Mike Evans. The Bucs’ success – or lack thereof – this coming season may hinge on Josh McCown‘s performance under center, since the roster is certainly loaded with plenty of talent at other positions.

And of course, last season’s division champs shouldn’t be overlooked. A candidate for regression, Carolina’s cap struggles forced the team to part ways with a few key contributors, including longtime Panther Steve Smith, and there are questions about whether Cam Newton will have enough weapons to utilize. But this is still a strong team, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, where few clubs have a scarier pass-rushing duo than Carolina’s Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson.

What do you think? Who wins the NFC South in 2014?

Previously:
Who will win the AFC North?
Who will win the AFC West?
Who will win the AFC South?
Who will win the AFC East?
Who will win the NFC North?
Who will win the NFC West?
Who will win the NFC East?