2014 December - Pro Football Rumors

NFC Notes: Bucs, Panthers, Saints, Cutler

December 27th, 2014 at 12:24pm CST by Ben Levine

Wide receiver Louis Murphy agreed to a three-year extension with the Buccaneers yesterday, and the 27-year-old is thrilled to be sticking around Tampa. The former fourth-rounder said as much to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times:

“I believe in this team, I believe in coach Lovie (Smith), I believe in the organization. I believe in all the guys in that locker room, regardless of what the record says. I believe we’re going to be contenders in the future and I want to be a part of it. I want to see it turn around.”

Murphy, who currently has 31 catches for 380 yards and a pair of scores, reflected on his tumultuous tenure with the Raiders, Panthers and Giants:

“My dad always told me growing up when preparation and opportunity meets, it equals success. So this year, I wrote it on my bathroom wall. Early on in the game, you can drop a ball and say, ‘Oh, I’ll get another chance at this.’ But with the road that I’ve taken and the road I’ve had to go through, I said, ‘No, I’m not going to let anything slip through the cracks.’ And that’s the mind-set I’m going to keep from here on out.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes out of the NFC…

ESPN.com’s David Newton is skeptical about the return of two key Panthers (on Twitter): running back DeAngelo Williams and defensive end Greg Hardy.
Saints wideout Marques Colston isn’t thinking about next season. When asked by Nick Underhill of The New Orleans Advocate whether he’s consider returning for less money, the receiver responded that he’d cross that bridge when he comes to it (Twitter link).
The Saints will enter the offseason over the salary cap, but veteran guard Jahri Evans isn’t worried about his team’s predicament. “(The front office) will figure a way to figure it out. That’s what those guys get paid to do,” he told Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com. “I don’t see myself going anywhere.”
The Giants have yet to reach out to defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul regarding an extension, tweets ESPN’s Josina Anderson. The lack of communication is not a concern, however, and Anderson notes that the team will start the process following the season.
If one head coach could help turn around the play of Jay Cutler, ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio believes it would be the man who drafted him: Mike Shanahan. Of course, that would depend on the Bears keeping the embattled quarterback and not shipping him off to another franchise.

AFC North Links: Webb, Browns, Eifert

December 27th, 2014 at 11:30am CST by Ben Levine

Lardarius Webb has battled a back injury all season, and the Ravens cornerback told Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun that he suffered nerve damage in his back during training camp, severely hampering the start of his season. However, the 29-year-old is starting to regain his old form, and his defensive coordinater believes he’ll be a force for the rest of the season.

“I actually graded the film on the plane on the way back, and then I came in and watched the film again on Monday morning and I texted him right after I got done and said, ‘That’s the best you’ve played all year. You look like you’re kind of getting back to the Lardarius that I know,'” said Dean Pees. “I think that is a very, very positive thing about him. Hey, we need him right here at the end. I was very pleased with the way he played.”

Webb echoed that sentiment:

“Yeah, I feel awesome. It was late in the season and everything, but I do feel good now. I’ve been through a long season. I started off on the back burner with a back injury. I’ve just been trying to catch up the whole time and get it right eventually. Now, I’m right.

“That’s how nerve injuries do, they take time. I had to fight through it all year with the good and the bad. It would be perfect going into the playoffs to play your best game. Hopefully, we can continue playing and win this game and go into the playoffs and keep improving on the back end. It’s been a long year, a humbling year. I’ve been through a lot of adversity since I’ve been in the NFL. That’s been my career.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes from the AFC’s northern division…

Browns‘ cornerback Buster Skrine is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, but defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil wants him back, reports Jeff Schudel of the News-Herald (via Twitter). With Joe Haden playing at a Pro Bowl level and first-round pick Justin Gilbert on the roster, Skrine may be more comfortable going elsewhere to continue his career. Skrine has not talked about his next contract.
Meanwhile, Browns coach Mike Pettine was asked if he wants Skrine on the team next season. “Yeah, he’s a Brown,” he answered (via Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com). “It’s tough when you have guys that are up (for free agency). That’s the reality of business. As far as what we’re looking for, and I already talked about it, just everything from Buster from A to Z is a guy that you want on your football team.”
Before the season, Browns safety Jim Leonhard declared 2014 his final NFL season. According to Tom Reed of Cleveland.com, the veteran is sticking by the statement. “But, no, it’s not happening. I’m very happy with my decision and I’m looking forward to that next chapter . . .I definitely want to get out and travel a little bit with the family. Outside of that, head back to Madison (Wisc.) and figure it out. I had a lot of conversations with people and we’ll see what happens, where this thing leads.”
Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert has struggled through injuries all season, and head coach Marvin Lewis confirmed yesterday that the 24-year-old’s season is over. Eifert had left shoulder surgery earlier this month, helping repair an injury he sustained in training camp. “It’s been unfortunate for him,” Lewis said (via ESPN.com’s Coley Harvey), “but it was the best thing for him.”

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Workout Notes: Saturday

December 27th, 2014 at 10:30am CST by Ben Levine

We’ll keep track of today’s workout information right here, as well as a couple of notes from yesterday…

Besides working out wideout Austin Pettis, the Chargers also worked out wide receiver John Chiles, tweets Aaron Wilson. The former Texas standout went undrafted in 2011, and he’s spent time in the CFL and with the Saints and Rams.
The Giants worked out a pair of former CFL players (via Wilson on Twitter): defensive back Jalil Carter and offensive lineman Brett Jones.

Jets Reaching Out To GM, Head Coach Candidates

December 27th, 2014 at 10:25am CST by Ben Levine

10:25am: Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News disputes the report (all via Twitter), saying Casserly’s work has not been on behalf of the Jets. The writer notes that Casserly has been researching head coaching candidates as a member of the league’s “career development advisory panel,” which includes “exploring contract language” for at least one college coach.

8:11am: It seemed inevitable that change was coming in the Jets organization, and it appears like those moves will happen very soon. NJ.com’s Dom Cosentino reports that Charley Casserly, a newly-hired consultant to Jets owner Woody Johnson, has been reaching out to potential head coach and general manager candidates. Cosentino notes that both Rex Ryan and John Idzik are expected to be fired this weekend, and he adds that the current head coach has already cleaned out his office.

This matches up with the quotes from the New York Posts’ Bart Hubbuch, who claimed Ryan was addressing his job in the past tense during yesterday’s press conference.

“You do this to win it all, and there is no doubt about that,” Ryan said. “So obviously, I have come up short there that way. As far as all of the other stuff is concerned, I came in and I wanted to give a different identity to this team and I think we did accomplish that.”

As Cosentino observes, the situation is similar to 2013, when Ryan had discovered that Idzik was exploring potential head coach candidates. Ryan and the Jets ultimately finished the season with two straight wins, and the head coach kept his job. It doesn’t seem like we’re heading for any repeats this time around, considering the Jets can’t finish any better than 4-12 (the 2013 Jets finished 8-8).

Casserly was the former general manager in Washington and Houston, and he’s spent the last couple of years on the NFL Network. The team was rumored to be seeking Casserly’s guidance earlier this week.

Vikings Place Anthony Barr On IR

December 27th, 2014 at 9:12am CST by Ben Levine

As expected, the Vikings have placed rookie outside linebacker Anthony Barr on injured reserve, tweets ESPN’s Adam Caplan. To take his spot on the roster, the team has promoted linebacker Josh Kaddu from the practice squad. This news comes about a week after we learned that the team was anticipating Barr missing the rest of the season with a knee injury.

The ninth-overall pick in this past year’s draft, Barr has been one of the most productive defensive rookies this season. The linebacker currently has the fifth-highest rating on Pro Football Focus (subscription required) among rookie defenders (following Khalil Mack, Aaron Donald, Chris Borland and C.J. Mosley), and he leads all Vikings linebackers in snaps played. He’s compiled 70 tackles, four sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in 12 starts this season.

Kaddu was a fifth-round pick by the Dolphins in 2012, but he only made five appearances with Miami during his two-year tenure. He briefly spent time with the Eagles earlier this year before signing with Minnesota in September.

Barr gave Kaddu his vote of approval (via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Twitter):

“I think he has a great opportunity to help us out this weekend. … I think he’ll do well if he does.’’

Extra Points: Harbaugh, Draft, Titans, Pettis

December 26th, 2014 at 10:32pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The 49ers are expected to part ways with Jim Harbaugh in less than 72 hours, and interested parties are positioning themselves to land the successful, if controversial, head coach. According to Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports (Twitter link), the University of Michigan, which reportedly has a six-year, ~$50MM offer on the table, will send officials (and its search firm) to the Bay Area this weekend to meet with Harbaugh. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com confirms the Michigan news, and reports that the Raiders will also speak with Harbaugh this weekend (Twitter link). Rapoport also adds (via Twitter) that Harbaugh will resolve his situation with the 49ers before he meets with either entity. Here’s more from around the league…

Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net passes along the latest regarding NCAA draft entrants, reporting that while defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches of Southern Mississippi and running back Devontae Booker of Utah will likely enter the draft (Twitter links), Rutgers receiver Leonte Carr will likely return to school for another year (Twitter link).
Meanwhile, UCF receiver Breshad Perriman didn’t receive a top-three round grade from the NFL Draft Advisory Board, so he’s still considering whether or not to enter the draft, tweets Pauline.
With one week left in the NFL season, Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap updates both the playoff odds and the favorites for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
While the Titans will have a chance to draft either first or second in the 2015 NFL Draft, Zach Mettenberger believes the team already has the quarterback of its future, writes Jim Wyatt of the Tennesseean. “There’s not another guy out there who can do what I can do and bring what I can bring to this game.,” said Mettenberger. “Obviously (the Titans) have seen how hard I work and know that I’m a gym rat, and know that I am going to continue to get better. Really all I can do is continue that and show that I am going to continue doing it.”
Ex-Rams receiver Austin Pettis, released by St. Louis on October 20, worked out for the Chargers today, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN (Twitter link). San Diego’s Keenan Allen is nursing a collarbone injury, so Pettis could provide some insurance at the WR position.
After releasing defensive tackle Travian Robertson earlier today, the Seahawks don’t plan on making a roster addition before Sunday’s contest, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Vikings Links: Ponder, Greenway, Wilson

December 26th, 2014 at 9:53pm CST by Zachary Links

With a win over the Bears on Sunday, the Vikings can finish with a 7-9 record — given the Adrian Peterson incident, and the presence of both a rookie quarterback and rookie head coach, such a conclusion would certainly be a positive sign for the future. Let’s look at a few notes regarding even more changes that could occur in Minnesota during the offseason…

Too much baggage makes it highly unlikely Christian Ponder and the Vikings will renew vows during the offseason, even though the team’s other veteran quarterback, Matt Cassel, could be prowling for another starting job elsewhere. Brian Murphy of the Pioneer Press sat down with the former first-round pick to discuss his time in Minnesota. Ponder says that his No. 1 priority in free agency will be looking for playing time.
The longest-tenured Viking on the roster, linebacker Chad Greenway has been in Minnesota since being selected in the first round of the 2006 draft. However, he isn’t sure he’ll be back with the team in 2015. “I guess we’ll find out,” Greenway told Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune (Twitter link). “I don’t have the answer there.” Greenway, who accepted a $1MM pay cut earlier this year, is set to count $8.8MM against the Vikes’ cap in 2015.
Vikings running backs coach Kirby Wilson left the Steelers after being considered for the offensive coordinator job with the Ravens, but after a good season making due without Adrian Peterson, he may be up for another offensive coordinator job soon, writes Ben Goessling of ESPN.

Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.

AFC West Notes: Alex Smith, Manning, Raiders

December 26th, 2014 at 9:08pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith is expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks due to a lacerated spleen, the team announced today. The good news is that in addition to not requiring surgery, Smith won’t suffer any long-term effects due to the injury. However, if the Chiefs make the playoffs (they’ll need to win on Sunday, and hope both the Ravens and Texans lose), Smith won’t be healthy enough to play until the Super Bowl, if at all. Backup QB Chase Daniel will take over the signal-calling reins in the meantime; as Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap notes (Twitter link), Daniel and Smith have similar cap figures this season, with Daniel counting $3.4MM to Smith’s $4.6MM. Daniel, 28, signed a three-year, $10MM deal with Kansas City prior to the 2013 season. Here’s more from the AFC West:

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning said that he wants to return in 2015 and, to the surprise of no one, coach John Fox said that he wants Manning back too, as Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com tweets. “I would say…maybe the top [quarterback] of all time, I’d say there’s a pretty good likelihood [that we want him to return],” Fox said.
With Manning in the fold for 2015, Broncos backup Brock Osweiler will probably see his four-year deal expire after next season without getting an opportunity to play a whole lot, writes Mike Klis of The Denver Post. “When I was drafted here, I knew I was brought in to sit on the bench and learn from one of the greatest quarterbacks to have ever played this game,” Osweiler said. “I also knew that his contract was one year longer than mine. We understood that.”
Raiders center Stefen Wisniewski, an impending free agent, says the club has made him a few contract offers, but “nothing he was looking for,” according to Josh Dubnow of the Associated Press (via Twitter). The fourth-year offensive lineman is counting just $1.315MM against the cap this season, the final year of his rookie deal. Wisniewski isn’t a star, but he’s a solid player, rating as the 15th-best center in the league per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), so it’s a little surprising that Oakland, who has the most cap 2015 cap space ($51MM)+ of any team, hasn’t made a more serious effort to retain him.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Chargers To Place Mike Scifres On IR

December 26th, 2014 at 8:23pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Nearly three weeks after breaking his clavicle, Chargers punter Mike Scifres is expected to be placed on injured reserve, according to Alex Marvez of Fox Sports (Twitter link). Scifres is reportedly progressing well from surgery, but San Diego is facing a roster crunch, forcing them to make a move now (link).

The Chargers will likely use their newly-created to roster spot to add a center, per Marvez. San Diego has used five different players at center so far this season, with Nick Hardwick, Rich Ohrnberger, Doug Legursky, Chris Watt, and Trevor Robinson all seeing time at the position. Watt went down after suffering a leg injury in last Saturday’s game against the 49ers, forcing the club to turn to Robinson, who was signed in October. He’ll presumably continue to start, while the Chargers look to add a backup. Jeff Baca, currently on SD’s practice squad, is probably an option to be promoted to the 53-man roster.

According to Marvez, the Chargers want to create roster space without moving either Keenan Allen or Ryan Mathews to injured reserve. Neither Allen, who, like Scifres, is dealing with a collarbone injury, or Mathews, who’s working through an ankle problem, is expected to play in Week 17, but San Diego likely wants to keep its two primary playmakers active in case the team makes the postseason. The Chargers can earn a wild card berth with a win over the Chiefs on Sunday.

With Scifres out, veteran Mat McBriar, signed immediately after Scifres’ injury, will continue to act as San Diego’s punter, and will continue to do so if the team enjoys a playoff run.

Breer’s Latest: Black Monday, Texans, Bengals

December 26th, 2014 at 7:44pm CST by Dallas Robinson

As we head to the final week of the regular season, Albert Breer of NFL.com has provided his latest notes column, synthesizing news and opinion from around the league. Lets’ dive in…

The number of head coaches who are fired after the season figures to drop this year, writes Breer, who argues that there aren’t any “slam-dunk” candidates available. For example, the top two coordinators on the market, the Broncos’ Adam Gase and the Seahawks’ Dan Quinn, were virtual unknowns just two years ago. As such, as few as four teams could be looking for new HCs. Said one NFC executive to Breer: “If you’re Miami, do you stick with Joe Philbin, or is the guy who’s replacing Joe Philbin gonna be that big an upgrade?”
Another reason that Black Monday might be uneventful is that clubs are placing a higher value on continuity. Young players thrive when they’re able to stay in the same scheme for some period of time — if the Dolphins had fired Philbin for example, Ryan Tannehill would be playing under his third offensive coordinator in three seasons next year. As one veteran OC told Breer, “Players are drafted by coaches and the personnel staff for a reason — they met a schematic element those guys had in mind. Most NFL coaches are good at developing people and players, but say that shift comes, then the new coach doesn’t like something about the fit with a guy,” said the OC. “There’s no benefit of the doubt anymore, because he didn’t draft him. So he’s not getting better anymore.”
The Texans have been quietly impressed with how their season has turned out, writes Breer. Even though the club’s draft class didn’t produce much in 2014, the team was able to find veterans like Ryan Pickett, Kendrick Lewis, and Danieal Manning to fill in holes. If Houston is able to upgrade at quarterback, it could be a formidable unit in 2015.
Bengals personnel man Duke Tobin deserves credit for finding talent in the draft, and Marvin Lewis should earn praise for developing young players, per Breer, who notes that Cincinnati is now regarded as something of a model franchise. Guard Kevin Zeitler and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, each of whom are former first-rounders who struggled early in their careers, are now playing well, a testament to the team’s vision.
As Breer notes, there was plenty of skepticism when the Dolphins hired Dennis Hickey as general manager earlier this year. But after making a few shrewd signings in free agency, and nailing his first two draft picks — Ja’Waun James and Jarvis Landry — Hickey looks like a wise choice. He’ll probably still need the club to make the postseason in 2015 in order to keep his job, though.