2014 November - Pro Football Rumors

Latest On Jim Harbaugh, 49ers

November 28th, 2014 at 8:47am CST by Luke Adams

Even before last night’s ugly home loss against the Seahawks, the future of 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh was very much up in the air, with many observers around the league believing someone else will be coaching the club in 2015. Following yesterday’s loss, Harbaugh’s seat seems to be even hotter. Niners CEO Jed York tweeted after the game that his team’s performance “wasn’t acceptable,” and apologized to fans for the showing, prompting speculation that Harbaugh might not even last until season’s end. While I don’t think a move involving Harbaugh is imminent, there’s certainly a sense of unease in San Francisco, where the Niners’ 7-5 record makes it an uphill battle to a playoff spot.

Here’s more on Harbaugh and the 49ers:

While the notion of firing Harbaugh with several games left in the season “seems beyond ludicrous on the surface,” there’s a strong sense in league circles that the front office is looking forward to Harbaugh’s exit, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. As such, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the club parts ways with Harbaugh and promotes Jim Tomsula to head coach to try to make a last-ditch run to the postseason. Still, with just four games left on the 2014 schedule, it seems more likely that the team will play out the year with Harbaugh and then try to see if they can trade him in the offseason to a team in need of a new coach.
As something of an aside, Florio notes in the aforementioned piece that multiple league insiders believe Tomsula has the inside track to succeed Harbaugh as the Niners’ next head coach.
The daughter of Niners general manager Trent Baalke tweeted after last night’s game that offensive coordinator Greg Roman “can take a hike,” though she has since deleted the tweet. Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (Twitter link) acknowledges that replacing Roman is one major move the team could make, but says there’s no indication Harbaugh is looking to make a change.
Asked after last night’s loss if it was time to reevaluate the offense and make major changes, Harbaugh replied, “We always do that. We’ll do that again. We’ll evaluate it. I don’t know what you refer to with major changes” (link via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News).
For what it’s worth, Harbaugh had no reaction to York’s tweet, writes Maiocco at CSNBayArea.com.
Prior to last night’s game, Florio wrote in a separate PFT piece that the 49ers’ silence on Harbaugh’s future has been deafening. With little support from the San Francisco front office, the question is now where Harbaugh will wind up — per Florio, many expect him to stay in the Bay Area, or at least on the West Coast, and the Raiders are viewed as the most likely landing spot.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Extra Points: Chiefs, Sam, Ravens

November 27th, 2014 at 9:40pm CST by Zachary Links

The football world is abuzz over Jay Gruden‘s decision to bench Robert Griffin III, but the quarterback is taking a diplomatic approach to the situation. “Coach’s decision,” Griffin said when asked about the move, according to John Keim of ESPN.com. “I’m here to help this team win.” This is a lost season for Washington, but the decision to go with Colt McCoy raises all sorts of questions about their future. More from around the NFL..

The Chiefs worked out defensive backs Ellis Lankster, DeMarcus Van Dyke, and Johnny Patrick, a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). Both Lankster and Patrick are former Jets. Lankster, 27, has 47 NFL games to his credit between 2009-2013. He auditioned for the Lions and Panthers this fall but he has yet to find an NFL home since his release from the Jets in September.
Montreal Alouettes GM Jim Popp said that Michael Sam was close to joining the team with three weeks to go in the CFL season, tweets David William Naylor of TSN. Maggie Hendricks of USA Today identified the Bears and Lions as a couple of clubs that might have interest in the linebacker earlier this month, but no one has signed him since he was dropped from the Cowboys’ practice squad.
The Ravens were smart to listen to Kirk Ferentz when they took a chance and drafted offensive guard Marshal Yanda, writes Childs Walker of The Baltimore Sun. In fact, Walker argues that Yanda is quietly becoming one of the greatest players in Ravens history. “He’s definitely one of the best linemen in the league,” said Steve Palazzolo, a senior analyst for Pro Football Focus. “He can play the power game and maul people but then you see some of the reach blocks he makes, and he moves awfully quickly over a short space.”

AFC East Notes: Gilmore, Jets, Sanchez, Pats

November 27th, 2014 at 7:50pm CST by Zachary Links

Wayne Chrebet took a ton of big hits during his time with the Jets and even though he still feels unsettling side effects from that to this day, he’s thankful for his playing career, writes Dennis Waszak of The Associated Press. “I played the way I wanted to play even after I had the injuries, and I wouldn’t change that — because if I did, I wouldn’t be respected and appreciated the way I am now,” the former wide receiver said. Chrebet will be inducted into the Jets’ Ring of Honor along with late former owner Leon Hess on Monday. More from the AFC East..

More than half of 2012’s top 10 draftees may not have their fifth-year options exercised, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, and that includes Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Despite being a solid contributor, Gilmore is not yet a star player and that could be more of an investment than Buffalo wants to make. Of course, the team’s uncertain coaching and GM situations also complicate matters.
Ben Volin of The Boston Globe (via Twitter) was surprised to see that the Patriots waived defensive back Don Jones today as he believed they were really high on him. The safety was a key special teams player for the Pats, so one has to wonder what went into New England’s decision.
If Mark Sanchez continues to play well, it’s going to be a major negative for Jets coach Rex Ryan going forward, opines Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap (via Twitter). Ryan has taken a great deal of criticism for his lack of offensive acumen and inability to develop a young quarterback. While observers wrote off Sanchez a long time ago, he has looked rather strong with the Eagles this season and turned in a strong performance today.

Seahawks May Wait On Deal For Wilson

November 27th, 2014 at 6:04pm CST by Zachary Links

After the Seahawks won the Super Bowl last season, it appeared to be a lock that Russell Wilson would get a new monster contract as soon as he was eligible following the 2014 season. That’s no longer the case, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Wilson has shown signs of regression, the Seahawks haven’t lived up to the sky high standards that they set last season, and Seattle wants to take a wait-and-see approach to a new deal for their young quarterback, according to a league source.

According to the source, the team’s willingness to give Wilson a new deal will depend in large part on how the current season turns out. If the Seahawks miss the playoffs or gets knocked out early, they’ll be inclined to wait. If they return to the Super Bowl, however, a new deal becomes more likely. Whatever happens, Florio writes, the Seahawks want the outcome to be regarded as fair within the locker room.

Over the summer, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com was hearing that Wilson and Andrew Luck were in line for $24-25MM per year on their second contracts, a number that would top Aaron Rodgers‘ $22MM salary. While that may sound outlandish, quarterback salaries have increased steadily each year and, like Joe Flacco, Wilson’s value shot up following his Super Bowl victory. Of course, Flacco got to ride his Super Bowl win into free agency and Wilson has apparently lost some of his luster since February.

While Seattle is ostensibly uncertain about Wilson, many of his numbers show that he’s playing like a top quarterback in 2014. Wilson’s 63.6% completion percentage this season is right in line with his previous work and with just five picks so far, he’s pretty much on pace to match his total of nine from last season. The advanced metrics are fond of Wilson’s work too. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) has Wilson rated as the fourth best quarterback in the league this year, behind Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Philip Rivers, but ahead of notables such as Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers.

The Seahawks have shown a willingness to pay big money to keep their stars, but it remains to be seen whether Wilson will get the same treatment as cornerback Richard Sherman or safety Earl Thomas.

Patriots Waive Don Jones

November 27th, 2014 at 4:33pm CST by Luke Adams

The Patriots have opened up a spot on their 53-man roster, cutting safety and special-teamer Don Jones, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Jones will become an unrestricted free agent, able to sign anywhere, if he goes unclaimed on waivers.

Jones, 24, spent last season with the Dolphins, but was waived by the team this year following roster cutdowns at the end of the preseason. The former seventh-round pick was claimed off waivers by the Patriots, and has played exclusively on special teams for New England in 2014, contributing seven tackles in kick and punt coverage.

As Mike Reiss of ESPN.com observes (via Twitter), in confirming the transaction, Jones had been a key special teams player for the Patriots, so his release is an unexpected move that raises questions about why it happened. The safety was fined by the Dolphins and excused from the team back in May after making inappropriate comments on Twitter about Rams draftee Michael Sam, but hasn’t been in the news since then.

49ers Announce Series Of Roster Moves

November 27th, 2014 at 3:11pm CST by Luke Adams

With tonight’s crucial divisional showdown against the Seahawks looming, the 49ers have made multiple changes to their 53-man roster, the team announced today in a press release. Tight end Garrett Celek has been activated from the physically unable to perform list, while tight end Asante Cleveland has been promoted to the active roster. To accommodate the additions, the club has waived linebacker Chase Thomas and placed tight end Derek Carrier on the injured reserve list.

Multiple injuries at the tight end position necessitated the Niners’ latest additions — besides Carrier, who had been sidelined with a foot injury and will now miss the rest of the season, tight end Vance McDonald is also banged up, dealing with a back ailment. Having been on the PUP list since August, it’s the first time Celek has been on the active roster this season, and the second game for Cleveland, who was briefly promoted in September before returning to the taxi squad.

As for Thomas, the 25-year-old was signed off the practice squad earlier this month and saw action in the Niners’ last three games. He looks like a candidate to return to the practice squad, assuming he clears waivers.

Saints Place Brodrick Bunkley On IR

November 27th, 2014 at 2:26pm CST by Luke Adams

The Saints have made a defensive roster change in advance of Week 13’s contests against the Steelers, officially placing injured defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley on their injured reserve list, according to a team release. To fill Bunkley’s spot on the 53-man roster, defensive tackle Lawrence Virgil has been promoted from the practice squad, as we heard yesterday.

Bunkley, who turned 31 on Sunday, suffered a leg injury during New Orleans’ Monday loss to the Ravens. Although the team didn’t specify the diagnosis, a report earlier in the week indicated that Bunkley had torn his quad and was expected to be out for the rest of the season.

With 276 defensive snaps this year, Bunkley was New Orleans’ second-most-used defensive tackle, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). I’d expect increased roles for players like John Jenkins and Tyrunn Walker over the last few weeks of the season, with Virgil serving as a depth piece on the defensive line.

NFC Notes: Lynch, Peterson, Bush, Suh

November 27th, 2014 at 1:26pm CST by Luke Adams

As the second half of the Bears/Lions game gets underway in Detroit, let’s round up a few Thanksgiving Day notes from around the NFC….

While head coach Pete Carroll insists that the Seahawks expect running back Marshawn Lynch to continue his career in Seattle in 2015, it won’t be an easy decision for the team, given Lynch’s age and increasing cap number. In an Insider-only piece, Field Yates of ESPN.com takes a closer look at the team’s upcoming decision on Lynch.
With the appeal hearing for his suspension set to commence next Tuesday, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has until tomorrow to submit any materials he plans to introduce at the hearing, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
After signing with the Cardinals, veteran running back Michael Bush is looking forward to getting a fresh start in Arizona, telling ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss that he didn’t feel as if he got a “fair shake” from the Bears during his last year in Chicago.
Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press believes the Lions should let defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh walk in free agency, arguing that GM Martin Mayhew and his staff have exhibited a knack for finding less cheaper – and often younger – defensive talent in the draft and free agency.
In a story for ESPN The Magazine, Tim Keown takes an interesting look at Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith‘s financial history since entering the NFL, including the Pro Bowler’s struggle with his family’s demands for money.

Pro Football Rumors Features

November 27th, 2014 at 11:47am CST by Luke Adams

Pro Football Rumors passes along the latest news and rumors on NFL player movement 365 days a year, but those aren’t the only updates you’ll see on the site. On our right sidebar, you’ll find a number of additional features and featured posts. Here’s a rundown of a few of them:

Using your iOs and Android devices, you can use our app to follow the latest stories on PFR, MLB Trade Rumors, and Hoops Rumors. The Trade Rumors app is highly customizable, allowing you to add feeds for any of the 92 MLB, NBA, and NFL teams, as well as for any of the thousands of players in our archives.
We’re inching closer to the offseason, and in several NFL cities, fans may already be looking ahead to free agency, considering what players their favorite teams could add to their rosters this winter. You can find the full breakdown of 2015 veteran free agents by position using our list, which is updated weekly during the season.
Several players figure to receive contract extensions from their respective teams between now and the start of the 2015 free agent period, and we’ve identified a number of potential recipients in our Extension Candidate series, which profiles players eligible for extensions and assesses their value. As the list shows, many of the players we’ve profiled have since had their contracts extended.
The NFL isn’t known as a trade-happy league, but by our count, 50 trades were consummated by teams in 2014, and you can find them all on our recap of 2014 NFL trades. Meanwhile, you can keep tabs on traded draft picks for 2015 with our tracker.
We keep tabs on the latest roster moves around the NFL via our lists of roster counts and practice squad rosters. Additionally, we provide a breakdown of how teams used the designated-to-return slot on their injured reserve this year.
The Pro Football Rumors glossary highlights a number of aspects of the NFL’s salary cap, free agency, and Collective Bargaining Agreement. Feel free to let us know if there’s a specific concept that you’d like us to discuss in a future Glossary piece.
We value your input at PFR, which is why we regularly publish polls and have a regular feature called Pigskin Links, in which we highlight a few interesting recent articles from football blogs. You can find our poll archives here and our Pigskin Links pieces right here.
While a handful of our notable articles can be found under the “Featured Posts” section on the right sidebar, the PFR Originals archive rounds up all the original posts from our staff. Recently, we took a look at early returns on contract extension decisions for 2011 first-rounders, examined the teams with the most salary on injured reserve, posted the first edition of our 2015 free agent power rankings.

Colts Sign Jalil Brown, Cut Loucheiz Purifoy

November 27th, 2014 at 10:15am CST by Luke Adams

In advance of this weekend’s game against Washington, the Colts have made a change to their 53-man roster, agreeing to terms with one cornerback and cutting another. The team is signing Jalil Brown and placing Loucheiz Purifoy on waivers to clear a roster spot, according to a press release.

Brown, 27, was with the Colts earlier this season, but was cut several weeks ago when safety LaRon Landry returned from his suspension. In the interim, the former fourth-round pick spent some time with the Dolphins, but found himself on the market again this week after being released by Miami on Tuesday.

As Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star and Mike Chappell of RTV6 note (via Twitter), the Colts’ decision to cut Purifoy seems a little strange, since the team seemed to like him, and he was contributing on special teams. Even if Indianapolis wanted to make sure to get Brown back into the fold, the release of Purifoy doesn’t appear to be a football-based decision, according to Holder (via Twitter).