HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

East Notes: Allen, Odrick, Bills, Giants

February 23rd, 2015 at 7:09pm CST by Luke Adams

Eagles safety Nate Allen, who is set to reach the open market next month, has been cleared of any wrongdoing after being detained by police in Fort Myers, Florida last week, according to a report from ABC 6 in Philadelphia. Allen was adamant at the time that the accusation of indecent exposure was false, and encouraged police to continue investigating to clear his name.

Here’s more the East:

  • Charles Clay isn’t the only Dolphins free-agent-to-be whose next deal could be in the range of $6MM per year. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald writes that Jared Odrick‘s camp believes the defensive lineman has a floor of $6MM annually in free agency. Salguero also tweeted that the club would like to keep Odrick if the cost isn’t too prohibitive.
  • The Bills are interested in bring back both defensive end Jarius Wynn and linebacker Larry Dean, but there’s been “no movement” in talks with guard Erik Pears, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Pears spent the entire season as Buffalo’s starting left guard, while Wynn and Dean were reserve defenders.
  • The Giants will probably look to move a few veterans off their roster before free agency begins, and Dan Graziano of ESPN.com guesses (via Twitter) that linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka, offensive lineman J.D. Walton, and perhaps linebacker Jon Beason could be among that group. PFR’s Zach Links identified Kiwanuka and Beason as possible cap casualties in his preview of New York’s offseason.

Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.

West Notes: Wilson, Hudson, Culliver, Casey

February 23rd, 2015 at 6:24pm CST by Luke Adams

As Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) explains, the idea that Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson could land a fully guaranteed contract is causing concern for both team executives and agents. Team execs are worried about the precedent that a fully guaranteed deal might set, while agents are concerned that a full guarantee may prompt Wilson to settle for a salary several million dollars less than what he might otherwise land.

Let’s look at some more notes from the NFL’s West divisions…

  • The Chiefs met with the representative for center Rodney Hudson at the combine in Indianapolis, and talks will continue between the two sides, a source tells Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter links). Paylor writes that he expects Hudson – a prospective free agent – to command a per-year salary in the neighborhood of $6MM this winter.
  • The free agent market for cornerbacks is devoid of depth, but 49ers CB Chris Culliver might find more offers than expected when free agency starts next month, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. As Florio details, Culliver has had off-the-field trouble, but “chatter” around the league suggest he could find a healthy amount of suitors.
  • Adding to an earlier report, Mike Klis of the Denver Post reports that the meeting between free agent tight end James Casey and the Broncos will take place on Thursday.
  • In addition to Casey, the Broncos expect to target centers early in free agency, tweets Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. Denver used both Manuel Ramirez and Will Montgomery at center in 2014.

Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.

Panthers Won’t Re-Sign Byron Bell

February 23rd, 2015 at 5:53pm CST by Zachary Links

5:53pm: A team source confirmed to Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer that Bell won’t return in 2015.

5:07pm: Panthers tackle Byron Bell took to Instagram on Monday to announce that he won’t be returning to Carolina, according to David Newton of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Bell’s Instagram is private, but Panthers blog Catscratch Reader has a screenshot of the post.

Bell, 26, first joined the Panthers as an undrafted free agent out of New Mexico on 2011. The Texas native went on to become a staple on the Panthers’ offensive line over the next four years, appearing in 62 games and making 56 starts.

This past season, Bell lined up at left tackle and the results were not pretty. Bell graded out as the second worst qualified offensive tackle in football with a -33.4 overall rating, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required and recommended). Only Jake Matthews of the Falcons (-36.8) finished lower. Bell just completed a one-year, $2.187MM deal with the Panthers and he might have to take a little less on his next contract.

Minor Moves: Monday

February 23rd, 2015 at 5:49pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Let’s round up today’s minor moves, with any new transactions being added to the top of the list:

  • The Raiders have signed kicker Giorgio Tavecchio, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link). Oakland originally claimed Tavecchio off waivers from Detroit on August 26 of last year, but waived him just four days later as it moved down to a 53-man roster.
  • The Vikings have added linebacker Brian Peters, the club announced in a press release. Peters, a Northwestern alum, has spent the past two years with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, leading the team in tackles in 2014.

Free Agent Market For Edge Defenders

February 23rd, 2015 at 4:53pm CST by Luke Adams

Our list of 2015 free agents provides a comprehensive position-by-position breakdown of which players are eligible to hit the open market this year. However, that list of names doesn’t include much context or additional information about those players. So, with March’s free agent period fast approaching, we’ll be taking a closer look this month at the free agent market for each position. Today, we’ll turn our attention to edge defenders — 3-4 outside linebackers and 4-3 defensive ends. Let’s dive in….

Top unrestricted FAs:

Teams in search of pass rushers this offseason will focus on this group, but that doesn’t mean every player on this list excels at getting to the quarterback. Sheard has seen his sack total decrease every season, and Reed has never gotten to the quarterback more than six times, but both guys played well against the run in 2014. Morgan, meanwhile, was Pro Football Focus’ top-rated cover man among 3-4 outside linebackers last season (subscription required), and players like Pierre-Paul and Hughes are solid in every aspect of the game.

Still, in today’s NFL, few skills are valued more highly than an ability to pressure the quarterback, which is why someone like Houston – 2014’s sack leader – figures to land one of the biggest contracts of the offseason, assuming he doesn’t just play on a one-year franchise deal. Hughes and Pierre-Paul lead off the next tier behind Houston, and Hardy certainly hasn’t the talent to lead this group in sacks next season, though it’s still not clear if he’ll face a suspension from the NFL for off-field issues.

Graham, Morgan, and McPhee are among the most interesting names on this list. Graham and Morgan are former first-rounders who never quite fit with their current teams, and who never quite lived up to expectations, but PFF’s data suggests both players have been very productive when given the opportunity. McPhee is another pass-rushing specialist who played a limited role in Baltimore, but excelled in that role, and could draw interest this winter from teams who foresee him taking on more responsibilities on defense.

Of course, teams eyeing these players will have to consider their defensive scheme. Some of these guys will be able to fit in as a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 outside linebacker, but most of them are more comfortable playing either one or the other. It’s also worth taking into account the fact that the top players in this group won’t necessarily reach the open market — Houston and Pierre-Paul will likely be franchised, and Hughes is a candidate for the tag as well.

Other unrestricted options:

They won’t land big contracts, but veterans like Freeney, Harrison, and Umenyiora may be the most productive players in this group for the 2015 season. A club looking for a part-time specialist could certainly do worse than landing one of those veterans.

Still, there’s upside to be found here. English likely won’t develop into a regular contributor at this point, but fellow first-round picks Clayborn and Alualu could still be above-average players in the right situation. Moats was very good in part-time duty for the Steelers last season, and Johnson racked up 39 total quarterback pressures for the Lions (though his status remains up in the air — he may be a restricted free agent). Acho, Ayers, Schofield, and Spencer are also intriguing names, for a variety of reasons.

Most of the players in this group will be situational players, or backups, but none of them should be particularly expensive, and pairing a run-first defender with a part-time pass rusher could be an effective, cost-conscious way to get solid production on the edge, without splurging on one of the market’s top free agents.

Restricted FAs:

Shelby played 420 defensive snaps for the Dolphins, and was an effective run stopper for the team, so he looks like the best bet to receive a qualifying offer, out of these three players. If the Chiefs and Seahawks decide to re-sign Moses and Scruggs, respectively, it will likely be for a salary less than the minimum RFA tender.

Previous looks at the 2015 free agent market:

No Agreement Yet For Lions, Jarryd Hayne

February 23rd, 2015 at 4:25pm CST by Dallas Robinson

MONDAY, 4:25pm: Hayne’s announcement scheduled for tonight may not be about a contract after all, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, who says the rugby star hasn’t yet agreed to or signed a deal (Twitter links). Per Birkett, Hayne’s media session in Australia will be to discuss the process so far.

SATURDAY, 7:12pm: The Lions have agreed to a deal with rugby star Jarryd Hayne, according to Matt Logue of the Daily Telegraph. The 27-year-old Aussie will announce the futures deal at a press conference in Sydney next week.

Hayne also drew interest from the 49ers and the Seahawks, but as Logue writes, Hayne chose to sign with Detroit due to its “proven record in player development.” Indeed, the Lions signed another rugby star — Carlin Isles — to a futures deal last season, so perhaps that fact gave Hayne a level of comfort in heading to the Motor City.

Hayne will play running back in the NFL, and he’ll look to latch onto a Lions roster that is already full at the RB position, employing Reggie Bush, Joique Bell, Theo Riddick, and George Winn. Additionally, one AFC executive told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link) that Hayne might not be fast enough to play running back in the NFL. Nevertheless, Birkett believes that Hayne will be able to contribute on special teams if he makes the 53-man roster (link).

Cardinals Cut Ted Ginn Jr.

February 23rd, 2015 at 4:03pm CST by Luke Adams

Shortly after ensuring that two key members of their organization are locked up for the next several years, the Cardinals announced another move, this time releasing a player from their roster. As Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com details, the team has parted ways with wide receiver and return man Ted Ginn Jr., just one year into a three-year contract.

Ginn, 29, agreed to a three-year, $9.75MM contract with the Cardinals a year ago, coming off a season in which he was an all-purpose threat for the Panthers, accumulating 36 catches, 26 punt returns, 25 kickoff returns, and even four carries. In his first and only season in Arizona, Ginn didn’t have the same impact, outside of one 71-yard punt return touchdown back in September. For the season, Ginn posted a career-low 19.0 yards per return on kickoffs, and caught just 14 balls on offense.

By releasing Ginn, whose base salary for 2015 was non-guaranteed, Arizona creates $2.5MM in cap room, slicing Ginn’s cap number from $4MM to $1.5MM in dead money. The former first-round pick is immediately free to sign with another team, prior to next month’s free agent period.

Colts Cut Ricky Jean-Francois

February 23rd, 2015 at 2:13pm CST by Luke Adams

The Colts have cleared some cap room for the coming year, announcing today in a press release that they’ve cut defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois. Jean-Francois, who had spent the last two seasons in Indianapolis, had two more years left on his contract with the club.

Jean-Francois, 28, parlayed a part-time role with the 2012 NFC champion 49ers into a four-year, $22MM pact with the Colts, who made him a starter and increased his playing time. Jean-Francois held his own in the increased role, ranking 26th out of 47 qualified 3-4 defensive ends in 2014, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required). He also set new career highs last season with 34 tackles and three sacks.

Still, with a $6.125MM cap number for 2015, Jean-Francois wasn’t worth the investment for a Colts team that will create nearly $5MM in cap savings by cutting him. With annual prorated bonus figures of $625K on his deal, Jean-Francois will now count for $1.25MM on Indianapolis’ 2015 cap, as those bonus amounts accelerate to the ’15 league year.

The Colts already had a huge chunk of cap room available for 2015, and releasing Jean-Francois will give the team even more flexibility. According to OverTheCap.com’s data, Indianapolis is now armed with $40MM+ in projected cap space, which should give the club the flexibility to splash around a little in free agency, and to work out long-term extensions for core players like Andrew Luck and T.Y. Hilton.

East Notes: Clay, Reynolds, Jets, Dolphins

February 23rd, 2015 at 1:51pm CST by Luke Adams

We led off our morning round-up of free agent rumors with a note on Charles Clay, passing along a report that suggested the veteran tight end is still very much a part of the Dolphins‘ plans. However, if Miami does want to re-sign Clay, he won’t come cheap. A league source tells Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald that the market for Clay is expected to be about $6MM+ annually.

While that may seem like a steep price for a player coming off a fairly modest season (605 receiving yards, three touchdowns), a $6MM annual salary would put Clay right in between Greg Olsen and Dennis Pitta, who are solid players but certainly not start tight ends. As Over The Cap’s data shows, Marcedes Lewis, Jared Cook, Antonio Gates, and Kyle Rudolph are among the players whose annual salaries range from $6.8-7.3MM, a notch above where Clay is expected to land.

Here are a few more items out of the NFL’s two East divisions:

  • The contract signed by offensive lineman Dallas Reynolds with the Giants last week includes $25K in guaranteed money, per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
  • Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com rounds up some notes from the scouting combine, with a focus on the Jets. Cimini leads off his report by suggesting that the Jets don’t seem to be in quarterback-or-bust mode for the draft, and that the team isn’t necessarily a lock to select Marcus Mariota if he falls to No. 6.
  • Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk clarifies some points from a weekend article on Dez Bryant, suggesting that all players who – not just the Cowboys receiver – should take certain steps to regain leverage if they receive a franchise or transition tag from their respective teams.
  • While Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald agrees that the Dolphins should consider off-field actions when deciding which players to add to their roster, he expresses some concern that the team’s criteria may be too strict — in Salguero’s words, Miami seems to be taking “extra steps” to ensure that the players on the squad “fall in line.”

Cardinals Extend Arians, Keim Through 2019

February 23rd, 2015 at 12:58pm CST by Luke Adams

12:58pm: Arians’ new contract pays him an average of $6MM per season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).

12:43pm: The new contracts for Arians and Keim include team options for a fifth year, so the Cardinals essentially have both of them locked up through 2019, reports Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic (via Twitter).

11:59am: The Cardinals have reached agreements with head coach Bruce Arians and general manager Steve Keim to extend their respective contracts through the 2018 season, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (via Twitter). While details of the new deals aren’t yet known, Urban notes that they’ll “presumably” involve big raises for both the coach and the GM.

Both Arians and Keim had been under contract for at least two more years, so locking them up to new extensions wasn’t something the Cardinals necessarily needed to prioritize. However, team president Michael Bidwill suggested last month that the club would try to get something done with its two primary decision-makers this offseason, to reward them for their impressive performances since they assumed their current roles within the organization.

Since taking over as Arizona’s head coach prior to the 2013 season, Arians has led the team to a 21-11 record, earning a playoff berth in 2014. While the Cardinals ultimately couldn’t withstand all their health problems – including injuries that sidelined quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton – Keim provided a roster deep enough that the team was able to win 11 games despite losing multiple QBs and defensive contributors.

Arians, who was named the PFWA’s Coach of the Year for 2014, was believed to earning between $3-4MM a year on his old contract — his new deal will likely bump him up into the salary range of coaches like Rex Ryan and Jason Garrett, who signed contracts last month reportedly worth $5.5-6MM annually.

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