2014 November - Pro Football Rumors

Kaepernick’s Future Not Linked To Harbaugh

November 29th, 2014 at 6:01pm CST by Rob DiRe

The 49ers are on the outside of the playoff picture, and the relationship with head coach Jim Harbaugh has been tumultuous all season. Despite tremendous success in Harbaugh’s first three seasons with the team, reaching the NFC Championship Game three years running, the fear is that the relationship between the head coach and the organization is beyond repair.

The tension has been documented numerous times here at Pro Football Rumors, from early on this season to as recently as the day after the Niners’ Thanksgiving loss to the Seahawks. The team seems prepared to move on from Harbaugh, and hopes to continue the success they experienced during his tenure.

Losing Harbaugh will hurt, but it could be a lot worse if the team believes they will lose their starting quarterback as well. Colin Kaepernick is a product of Harbaugh, drafted by him and a favorite of his. Harbaugh himself was a former NFL quarterback, and his ability to rein in Kaepernick’s best characteristics has no doubt brought out the best in his early development as a passer.

Kaepernick of course, has struggled, and if he continues to regress, especially without the coach who drafted him, the team may be forced to move on from him.

Such a possibility is plausible due largely to the nature of the contract extension he signed with the team. The contract included a small amount of guaranteed money, with a small signing bonus and big yearly salaries. Therefore the team can cut him after any season it decides he is no longer worth the money.

His 2015 base salary stands at $12.4MM, but rises incrementally all the way up to $21MM in 2020.

Because of the nature of Kaepernick’s contract, the team figures to stick with even in a post-Harbaugh world, as long as he continues to improve and show signs of promise as the franchise quarterback, says Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Maiocco writes that the team could be interested to see how his game evolves under a new set of circumstances on offense.

Washington Not Giving Up On Robert Griffin III

November 29th, 2014 at 4:55pm CST by Rob DiRe

Washington’s head coach Jay Gruden has decided to start backup Colt McCoy over Robert Griffin III this weekend against the Colts, leading to increased speculation about whether or not RGIII has a future with the team. Griffin’s play over the past few weeks since returning from a dislocating ankle has been frustrating at best.

Still, despite his performance, the fan base and Washington media has seemed desperate to replace Griffin since last season. The team spent the offseason hearing that Gruden preferred Kirk Cousins over Griffin, with many fans and media personalities believing Cousins could prove to be the better option.

The unrest only swelled after Griffin went down early in a game against the Jaguars in Week 2, where Cousins came in and had a huge day, leading to a 41-10 victory that serves as one of the few bright spots of the season.

Cousins was lauded for his talent, and Griffin was all but written off as injury prone and underwhelming, before Cousins quickly played his way out of the lineup with a horrible stretch of quarterback play. McCoy then took over the role of quarterback savior after beating the Cowboys on Monday Night Football.

Griffin’s return to the lineup once again produced poor results, and with McCoy taking over as the starter once again, Griffin’s future with the team is now in doubt. Many have considered that Washington would seek to trade him this offseason, or move on from him altogether by simply releasing him.

The rift between Griffin and Gruden does not necessarily mark the end for the pairing. Gruden says this most recent benching will have no influence on the long-term plan at quarterback, but that he is just looking to play the best quarterback for this game, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post (via Twitter).

Griffin’s time on the bench could last just one game, or go through the end of the season. Either way, Griffin will once again open next season as the frontrunner to start in Washington, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Florio writes that while many pundits believe any optimism left in the organization for RGIII to return to his 2012 performance is only hot air to try to build his trade value, the team truly does plan to keep him around.

Gruden wants Griffin to get better, and first he must get healthier. This time on the bench could give Griffin a chance to do both, and hopefully a healthy 2015 season will go a long way to repairing his value as a franchise quarterback in Washington.

Jets Among Teams Interested In Drafting A QB

November 29th, 2014 at 4:01pm CST by Rob DiRe

Most teams have five games left on their schedule (unless they are one of the six that played on Thanksgiving), and as teams are jockeying for playoff position, fan bases of those already out of contention cannot help but look ahead to the 2015 NFL draft.

The best way to find a franchise quarterback is by drafting as high as possible, and the best way to ensure a high draft pick is with poor quarterback play. For that reason, one win can be the difference between having a chance to draft an elite prospective signal-caller or missing out on a passer entirely.

Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk put together a prospective list of the teams likely to be drafting in the top 10 and their quarterback needs. The draft order he uses is comprised of all the teams 4-7 or worse, except for the Falcons and Saints, who are still embarrassingly battling it out for the NFC South division crown.

The Raiders and Jaguars, the two clubs with only one win, look like good bets to be drafting right at the top of the first round. Of course, both teams took quarterbacks in the first two rounds of last year’s draft, and shouldn’t be in the market for replacing them this offseason. The next group is far more interesting, with the Jets, Buccaneers, and Titans all sitting on two wins and tremendous need at the position.

Unfortunately for one of those teams, there may only be two quarterbacks worth such a valuable draft selection. Marcus Mariota of Oregon and Jameis Winston of Florida State are both vying to be the first quarterback taken. With no third option, one of those three teams will come up empty in terms of fixing their quarterback situations.

The New York media is already calling for the Jets to chase one of these college stars, with Kevin Kernan of the New York Post openly calling for the team to draft Winston.

Of course, a lot can happen in the last five games, and wins and losses still to come can shake up the order, as can an offseason trade or signing that suddenly changes the need at the position. If any of the three teams do manage to win a game or two down the stretch, Washington and St. Louis could crawl up to a higher selection, and each could consider a quarterback according to Smith.

An even more volatile situation is among the college quarterbacks. Both Mariota and Winston still have time to fall out of favor with NFL teams, and both could decide to remain in college another year, pushing back the draft process one more year. Or maybe one of the two impresses so much it convinces another team to trade its future to move up into the top two to take their coveted quarterback.

Rams Activate Chris Long From IR

November 29th, 2014 at 3:06pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Rams have activated star defensive end Chris Long from the injured-reserve designated-to-return in time for this Sunday’s matchup with the Raiders, reports Myles Simmons of STLRams.com.

Long has been absent from the team following an ankle injury suffered during the team’s opening game, an injury that required surgery. Long had been at practice for the last three weeks and will see his first game action since Week 1 this Sunday. Long had made four consecutive Pro Bowls coming into the season, and his addition will only strengthen an already strong defense.

The team has waived linebacker Marshall McFadden to make room for Long, reports Nick Wagoner of ESPN (via Twitter).

Long had never missed a game as a professional since being drafted second overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He will rejoin a defensive line that includes fellow first round picks Robert Quinn, Michael Brockers, and Aaron Donald. With Donald still playing limited snaps early in the season, if Long can quickly return to his Pro Bowl form, it will be among the scariest pass rushing defensive lines in the NFL at full strength for the first time.

Lance Briggs Will Test Free Agency

November 29th, 2014 at 1:37pm CST by Rob DiRe

Lance Briggs‘ season is over after the Bears placed him on injured reserve with a groin injury yesterday. With his contract up in March, many pundits have suggested that this will call to a close his career in Chicago, where he spent 12 years with the team.

Although it seems like a foregone conclusion that he will not be returning to the Bears in 2015, that does not mean the end of the road for Briggs altogether. Briggs has no plans to retire, and will test free agency this offseason, reports Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter).

Briggs’ 12 seasons with the Bears have placed him among the franchises all-time great defensive players. He missed only four games in his first ten years with the team, earning seven trips to the Pro Bowl during that time. He was also named All-Pro three times, in 2005, 2006, and 2009.

His 170 starts as a Bear puts him among the top five in franchise history, alongside such names as Walter Payton, Mike Singletary, Olin Kreutz, and Brian Urlacher. He and Urlacher anchored a defense that was frequently among the best in the NFL.

Still, his play declined in his final years with the team, struggling with performance and with injuries after head coach Lovie Smith left town. He played in only eight games in 2013 and will finish 2014 only appearing in nine games.

Additionally, Briggs will turn 35 in 2015, and given his recent injury history, he may not be a hot commodity as a free agent. He also plays a non-premium position as a 4-3 outside linebacker, and those spots are often filled with younger talents and mid-round draft picks.

One obvious fit would be a reunion with his old coach Smith in Tampa Bay, where he could join a young defense headlined by stars Lavonte David and Gerald McCoy. Under Smith, there has been upheaval on the defense as the coach attempts to bring in his own talent, and it can be seen most notably as the secondary has roster turnover. Briggs could be a key in Smith implementing his scheme to the younger players.

Outside of the Buccaneers though, desire for the former Pro Bowl linebacker will most likely be limited, and he may be forced to sign for the veteran’s minimum if he is intent on continuing his NFL career.

AFC Mailbags: Chiefs, Colts, Jags, Ravens

November 29th, 2014 at 12:30pm CST by Ben Levine

We took a look at ESPN’s NFC mailbags earlier this morning. Let’s now focus on notes from the AFC…

Adam Teicher says the Chiefs biggest need “in both the short and long terms” is at wide receiver.
Mike Wells believes it’s too late for the Colts to reinforce their offensive line depth with a free agent like Richie Incognito.
Firing offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch wouldn’t make “any sense” for the Jaguars, writes Michael DiRocco. A new O-coordinator would mean Blake Bortles would have to learn a new offensive, which is “virtually guaranteed” to stunt a young quarterback’s growth.
Jamison Hensley believes the Ravens will add some depth at cornerback, wide receiver, tight end and offensive tackle in the offseason. Meanwhile, the writer says it would be “uncharacteristic” for the team to pursue top free agent defenders like Jason Pierre-Paul or Ndamukong Suh.

Raiders Place Carlos Rogers on IR

November 29th, 2014 at 12:22pm CST by Ben Levine

The Raiders announced (via Twitter) that they have placed cornerback Carlos Rogers on the injured reserve, ending the veteran’s season. The 33-year-old hadn’t played since the end of October as he tried to recover from a knee injury. To take his place on the roster, the team promoted running back George Atkinson III to the active roster.

Rogers joined the Raiders this offseason after being cut by the 49ers, signing a one-year deal worth $2.5MM, including a $1MM signing bonus. The former Auburn standout was selected ninth-overall by Washington in the 2005 draft, where he spent six seasons with the squad. The defensive back joined San Francisco prior to the 2011 season, and he started every game during his three-year tenure.

However, following his Pro Bowl appearance in 2011, Rogers production has decreased. He ranked as Pro Football Focus’ (subscription required) sixth-best corner in the league following his first season with the Niners, but he soon fell to the middle of the pack in 2012 and 2013. In his abbreviated 2014 season with Oakland, he ranked 77th among 112 eligible cornerbacks, compiling 35 tackles and two passes defended in seven games.

Atkinson joined the Raiders this offseason after going undrafted out of Notre Dame. Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times expects the rookie to return kicks this weekend against the Rams (Twitter link).

NFC Mailbags: Panthers, Ingram, Bush, Giants

November 29th, 2014 at 10:59am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday morning, and that means ESPN’s NFL writers are opening the mailbags and answering reader questions. Let’s take a look at some interesting notes from the NFC…

The Panthers could move on from DeAngelo Williams after the season, says David Newton. Meanwhile, Jonathan Stewart, who still has a couple of years left on his contract, is more likely to stick around.
Mike Triplett wouldn’t be surprised if the Saints let Mark Ingram walk and opted to utilize their running back depth instead.
It would make sense for the Lions to consider trading Reggie Bush if they were to receive a solid offer, writes Michael Rothstein. However, the writer believes Bush still has a place in the team’s offense, and he adds that it would be tough to move a 30-year-old running back.
Dan Graziano’s gut tells him that both Giants coach Tom Coughlin and general manager Jerry Reese will be safe following the season, but he warns that the final stretch of the season could ultimately determine their fate.
John Keim guesses that Washington could expect a third or fourth-rounder in exchange for Robert Griffin III. He expects a “low-rounder at best” for Kirk Cousins.

AFC East Links: Goodwin, Jets, Solder

November 29th, 2014 at 9:29am CST by Ben Levine

It hasn’t been the easiest season for Bills wideout Marquise Goodwin. Following a rookie season where he caught 17 passes for 283 yards and three scores, the former third-rounder only has a single catch in 2014. Making matters worse is the team’s recent acquisition of return man Marcus Thigpen, making Goodwin’s role on the team even more unclear.

“I don’t like being inactive,” Goodwin said (via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com). “I don’t practice hard just to be an inactive. But it is what it is. If I don’t fit the game plan, I just don’t. I just do what I’m told, work hard and just try to help the team win in any way that I can.”

“It has been a humbling experience this whole year, coming from scoring a few touchdowns last season to having one reception right now and not really being able to help my team be victorious.”

Let’s see what else is going on in the AFC East…

ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini believes Robert Griffin III would be a Percy Harvin-like fit for the Jets, and the writer suggests the team could take a flyer on the embattled quarterback. Cimini also looks at other quarterbacks the team could pursue, including Jay Cutler, Sam Bradford and Brian Hoyer.
Meanwhile, Cimini writes that the Jets may have to trade up in the draft to get one of Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota. The team will have to hope they finish ahead of other quarterback-needing squads, particularly the Titans and Buccaneers.
Cimini thinks Percy Harvin could be back with the Jets next season, but not for the $10.5MM he’s owed. The writer says a renegotiation makes the most sense for both sides.
Mike Girardi of CSNNE.com sees the Patriots drafting a pass rusher in next year’s draft. They could also anticipate Nate Solder‘s expiring contract and draft an offensive tackle.

Latest On Ray Rice

November 29th, 2014 at 8:45am CST by Ben Levine

It was a busy Black Friday yesterday, as we learned that running back Ray Rice is again eligible to play in the league. Whether that happens this season remains to be seen. Let’s take a look at some assorted overnight notes pertaining to the former Pro-Bowler…

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com believes the appeal decision will ultimately make the Robert Mueller investigation moot. The former Director of the American Federal Bureau of Investigation has been exploring the extent of the NFL’s knowledge when they increased Rice’s suspension.
Yesterday’s ruling may ultimately help Rice’s grievance against the Ravens, writes Florio. The former Pro-Bowler will be looking to recoup his paychecks from Week Three to the current day (or the games following his initial two-game suspension). As Florio points out, Rice will only be helped by previous comments by GM Ozzie Newsome, who said that Rice originally acknowledged hitting his then-fiance. These comments contradict the reasoning behind Rice’s indefinite suspension, which is the money Rice is hoping to recover.
The general consensus among NFL executives is that Rice will inevitably sign with a club… but not this season. “I’m sure he’ll garner some attention, but he didn’t play well last season, and backs tend to go downhill quickly once they start,” an AFC personnel official said (via Lindsay H. Jones and Jim Corbett of USA TODAY Sports).