2014 September - Pro Football Rumors

West Notes: Broncos, Quinn, Chiefs, 49ers

September 2nd, 2014 at 2:43pm CST by Luke Adams

Although there was some speculation that the Broncos may face a penalty for potential violations of the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement by Peyton Manning and offensive coordinator Adam Gase, the league won’t levy any punishment on the club, says Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. Manning and Gase both visited the University of Alabama in April, and taking a campus visit together would’ve violated the terms of the CBA, but it was determined that the two men took their trips separately.

Let’s round up a few more items from around the NFL’s two West divisions….

Now that J.J. Watt has agreed to a lucrative new contract extension, Rams defensive end Robert Quinn will be among the next high-profile defenders to keep an eye on. According to Albert Breer of NFL Network, when he spoke to Quinn about his contract situation last week, the standout pass rusher said he didn’t want to let it become a distraction and planned to stay in his lane for now. “When the opportunity approaches, I’ll take advantage of it,” Quinn said.
Former third-round pick Brandon Taylor, who was cut by the Chargers back in June, visited the division-rival Chiefs on Monday, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
According to Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith, who agreed to a contract extension with the team over the weekend, getting a long-term deal done with Kansas City was always the goal — it was just a matter of finding a figure that he felt was fair and that didn’t compromise the club’s flexibility too much. B.J. Kissel of KCChiefs.com has the quotes from Smith.
The 49ers worked out a few free agents this week, including fullback J.C. Copeland and defensive backs Rod Sweeting and Chibuikem Okoro, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

Brian Waters Announces Retirement

September 2nd, 2014 at 1:57pm CST by Luke Adams

Longtime guard Brian Waters has officially announced his retirement from the NFL in a statement. The 37-year-old had his final season cut short by a torn triceps, and didn’t appear likely to continue his playing career this season, unless perhaps one of the Texas clubs had significant interest. Now, he has confirmed that he’ll retire, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com details.

“I want to thank the coaches, players and fans of the three great organizations that I had the pleasure of working for,” Waters said in his statement. “First the Dallas Cowboys for giving me my first and last chance of working in the NFL. I will always be grateful. Also the New England Patriots for the most successful season in my career. It was a great ride. Lastly the Kansas City Chiefs where I had pleasure of enjoying eleven wonderful seasons, which I will never forget.”

Playing at left guard for most of his career, Waters was named to two first-team All-Pro squads, and also earned six Pro Bowl berths, including one as recently as 2011, when he played for the Patriots. During his heyday with the Chiefs, Waters was a key part of an offensive line that paved the way for a handful of huge seasons by running backs like Larry Johnson and Priest Holmes.

Jim Irsay Suspended Six Games, Fined $500K

September 2nd, 2014 at 1:42pm CST by Luke Adams

Mere hours after he pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, Colts owner Jim Irsay was suspended for six games by the NFL, and fined $500K, according to a press release from the league. Irsay won’t be permitted to be at the club’s facility or its games during the suspension, and also “may not conduct media interviews or engage in social media regarding any team or league matters.”

Because the incident for which Irsay is being disciplined didn’t have any competitive consequences, the Colts won’t be forced to forfeit draft picks. The $500K fine is the maximum penalty allowed under the NFL’s conduct policy. As for the suspension, it will take effect beginning at 4:00pm central time on Wednesday.

Irsay, who reportedly had oxycodone and hydrocodone in his system when he was arrested on two misdemeanor charges back in March, received one year of probation, during which he’ll be subjected to drug tests. As part of the suspension, the league notes that the Colts owner will be “subject to ongoing treatment, counseling, and testing as determined by medical professionals and the Indiana court.”

Bills Sign Kyle Orton

September 2nd, 2014 at 12:52pm CST by Dallas Robinson

TUESDAY, 12:52pm: Per Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (Twitter links), Orton’s deal features a $3MM signing bonus, a $2.5MM base salary for 2014, and a voidable $5.5MM base salary for 2015.

SATURDAY, 2:53pm: The Bills have confirmed the transaction via press release.

FRIDAY, 10:28pm: Graham confirms (Twitter link) that the deal is indeed for one year, with a player option for 2016. The Bills anticipate that Orton will remain in Buffalo for both seasons.

10:24pm: Sources tell Graham (on Twitter) that Orton’s deal is for two years, rather than one. However, he notes that we could be dealing with semantics, as the second year could be an option.

10:05pm: Tim Graham of the Buffalo News tweets that while a deal is not yet signed, the two sides are very close.

9:27pm The Bills have agreed to sign quarterback Kyle Orton to a one-year contract, reports James Walker of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Orton, who flirted with retirement before being released by the Cowboys on July 16, will act as a backup to starter E.J. Manuel. Adam Caplan of ESPN.com noted earlier today that Orton could be an option for the Bills, who had been eying the veteran QB market.

Orton, 31, is a veteran of eight NFL seasons, having entered the league as a Bears fourth-round pick in 2005. While spending time in Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, and Dallas, the former Purdue Boilermaker has started 70 games, completing 58.5% of his passes for over 15,000 yards and 83 touchdowns.

Orton was a starter for most of his career until signing with the Cowboys prior to the 2012 season; during the past two years, he’s started just one game in relief of an injured Tony Romo. It seemed as though Orton’s preference was to secure only a No. 2 job — several teams surely would have offered him a chance at a starting role. His career goals became even murkier when he contemplated retirement earlier this summer, engaging in an odd standoff that ultimately led to Dallas cutting him loose.

The Cowboys were set to pay Orton $3.25MM in base salary for the upcoming season, so it’ll be interesting to see if the Bills at least matched that figure. After releasing Thad Lewis and Jordan Palmer in recent days, Jeff Tuel was the only quarterback remaining behind Manuel on the Bills’ depth chart. Manuel missed six games due to injury in 2013, and was ineffective when he did suit up, so it wouldn’t be surprising for Orton to see some regular season action in Buffalo this season.

East Notes: Bills, Giants, Jets, Cowboys

September 2nd, 2014 at 12:45pm CST by Luke Adams

Although a report last week suggested that the Toronto-based attempting to buy the Bills had parted ways with lead bidder Jon Bon Jovi, that’s not exactly the case, says John Kryk of the Toronto Sun. According to Kryk, Bon Jovi never left the group, but he and his partners remain “highly pessimistic” they’ll be able to buy the franchise. With final bids due a week from today, sources tell Kryk it wouldn’t be a surprise if Bon Jovi’s group disbanded before that deadline, but for now they continue to consider whether or not to submit a final bid.

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

Six players are auditioning today for the final two spots on the Giants‘ practice squad, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Per Graziano, former Ball State wideout Willie Snead will be among the players in attendance, and we heard yesterday that offensive lineman Adam Gettis would also be working out for the team.
Jets GM John Idzik continues to say he has no regrets about the Jets’ approaching to fortifying the cornerback position this offseason, even after the release of the team’s only notable free agent signee (Dimitri Patterson). Seth Walder of the New York Daily News has the details and quotes.
Appearing on his weekly radio show on KRLD-FM in Dallas, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones weighed in on Dez Bryant and Kyle Orton, suggesting that not having a contract extension in place by Week 1 wouldn’t be a distraction for Bryant. Jones added that Orton expressed some interest in continuing his career with the Cowboys before the team released him, but that Dallas had opted to go with Brandon Weeden as its backup instead (links via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram).
Earlier today, we rounded up some comments made by Tom Brady on his future with the Patriots and the team’s decision to trade Logan Mankins.

Saints’ Galette Denies Agreeing To Extension

September 2nd, 2014 at 12:25pm CST by Luke Adams

12:25pm: Galette’s agent, Alvin Keels, has also weighed in, confirming (via Twitter) that there’s no new deal in place for his client.

11:18am: Earlier this morning, Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports reported (via Twitter) that the Saints have reached an agreement in principle on an extension for edge defender Junior Galette. However, Galette himself denied the report, tweeting “These rumors have to stop.” Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune also heard from Galette, who said he has yet to agree to anything and that he’s “shocked” by the story (Twitter links).

Galette, who inked a three-year deal with the team in March of 2013, technically still had two years remaining on that contract, so if New Orleans is willing to extend his deal at this point, the team would be rewarding him for a breakout season in which he became a full-time player and recorded 12 sacks. Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required) ranked Galette as the 12th-best 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL last season, out of 42 qualified players.

As Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap details, Galette’s deal can void after the 2014 season if he records 24 total sacks in 2013 and 2014, which further explains why the Saints may be exploring an extension. If Galette matches his 2013 production this season, he’ll be eligible to hit the open market in March. For now, the former undrafted free agent is slated to earn base salaries of $1.4MM this year and next, along with $600K annually in roster and workout bonuses.

It seems unlikely that Getlin would be entirely off base with his report, so perhaps the two sides are working toward finalizing an extension before the regular season begins, and someone with the team or with Galette’s camp jumped the gun on confirming an agreement. I doubt either the Saints or Galette would be interested in continuing talks during the regular season, so we should get some clarity on the situation soon, one way or another.

Tom Brady Talks Mankins, Pats, Future

September 2nd, 2014 at 12:02pm CST by Luke Adams

A report last week suggested that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady wasn’t too happy with the team’s decision to trade Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins to the Buccaneers with less than two weeks until the regular season got underway. Appearing on WEEI this morning, Brady didn’t deny being upset, though his comments indicated that he has already moved past it. Here are the highlights from Brady’s radio appearance (links via ESPN.com):

On Mankins’ departure:

“I love Logan. Logan was a great friend of mine. Nobody stood for Patriots football more than him. … I dealt with whatever feelings I had last week, but I’ve moved on. I have to move on, because that’s what this team expects me to do.”

On whether it has gotten any easier to rationalize how the business side of the NFL works:

“Absolutely not. I’m a very person-to-person type of person, a very emotional person. I don’t think those things have ever gotten easier for me. I don’t think they ever will. But you have to come to grips with it also, and learn to deal with things in a mature way. We, as players, it’s the business side of things. We’re out there to play, we’re not out there to run businesses. We’re there to enjoy the camaraderie with our teammates, enjoy the playing experience with our teammates, and play for one another. And you deal with whatever comes up and then you move forward. I think that’s part of the sport. … I know it’s going to happen next year too, I know it’s going to happen the year after that, the year after that. For as long as you continue playing, you’re going to be dealing with this.”

On the possibility of staying with the Patriots for the rest of his career:

“There’s nowhere I’d rather play, I know that. I love playing for this team and I love representing this team and hopefully I can do that for as long as I can. When I suck, I’ll retire, but I don’t plan on sucking for a long time. So hopefully that leads me to being here and there’s no place I’d rather be.”

On considering retirement and weighing how long to continue his career:

“You know, you’re expected in this business to perform. That’s what football is about. This is not a personality contest. This is a very highly competitive game where your physical skill set and what it means to the team, they place a value on that. If that value fits within the range, then great. If it doesn’t, they don’t want you and then you go somewhere else to play. Once no one else wants you, or you don’t want to play anymore, that’s when you retire. Some guys make the decision to retire early. So I like working hard at it and I’m going to try to be the best I can be for as long as I can be that. Hopefully the team values that and if they don’t, then I’ll probably have a tough day at some point. But that’s what football is all about.”

Ravens Re-Sign Derek Cox, Cut Josh Bynes

September 2nd, 2014 at 10:56am CST by Luke Adams

10:56am: The Ravens have officially announced the transactions, cutting linebacker Josh Bynes to make room on the roster for Cox.

8:24am: Days after releasing him as part of their cut down to 53 players, the Ravens have agreed to re-sign cornerback Derek Cox, sources tell Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Cox’s new deal is another one-year, minimum-salary pact, according to Wilson.

Cox, who turns 28 later this month, spent his first four seasons with the Jaguars before signing a four-year, $20MM contract with the Chargers in 2013. However, he was released after just one season, despite receiving $10.25MM in guaranteed money. Cox played in all 16 contests for the Chargers in 2013, but started only 11 games, and signed a modest one-year, $1MM pact with Minnesota in March. A lack of guaranteed money in that deal made it easy for the Vikings to cut ties with him in August as roster cutdowns begin, opening the door for the Ravens to snatch him up last week.

In order to finalize the re-signing of Cox, the Ravens will have to clear a spot on their active roster. That could mean either cutting a player, or perhaps placing someone on injured reserve with a designation to return — as of 3:00pm central time today, teams are allowed to place one player on that list.

49ers To Re-Sign Kassim Osgood

September 2nd, 2014 at 10:21am CST by Luke Adams

Wide receiver and special teams ace Kassim Osgood will rejoin the 49ers today, according to head coach Jim Harbaugh. Appearing on KNBR in San Francisco this morning, Harbaugh indicated that Osgood would take the active roster spot by Glenn Dorsey, who will be placed on the injured reserve list with the designation to return (Twitter link via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee).

Osgood, 34, was released by San Francisco during the team’s cutdown to 53 players on the weekend. In his first year with the Niners, Osgood appeared in only 45 offensive snaps and snagged just one reception during the regular season. However, he was a key contributor in kick and punt coverage, compiling an impressive 13 special teams tackles.

Osgood’s previous one-year, minimum-salary contract with the team featured a $20K first-game roster bonus, so it’ll be interesting to see if the team includes that same provision in his new deal.

NFC Notes: Sam, Van Noy, Gettis, Guion

September 1st, 2014 at 10:36pm CST by Dallas Robinson

After being waived by the Rams on Saturday, defensive end Michael Sam wasn’t claimed by another team, meaning he is now a free agent. By our count, nine teams still have at least one practice squad spot open, so Sam might yet find NFL work. It’s just my speculation, but the Bills, Bengals, or Giants, each of whom has a practice squad opening, could be schematic fits for Sam. If Sam wants immediate playing time, however, he could look to latch on with the CFL, where the Montreal Alouettes control his rights. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), the team has reached out to Sam, the first openly gay player drafted by the NFL, but has not heard back. Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is more blunt, saying (via Twitter) that “there is nothing to…the CFL talk.”