HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

East Notes: Bills, Cowboys, Eagles, Dolphins

February 19th, 2015 at 3:06pm CST by Luke Adams

Based on comments made by Bills general manager Doug Whaley today, Joe Buscaglia of WGR550 (Twitter link) believes free-agents-to-be C.J. Spiller, Brandon Spikes, and Da’Norris Searcy will be allowed to explore their options on the open market next month. Conversely, it sounds like the team badly wants to re-sign Marcus Easley prior to March 10 (Twitter link).

Let’s round up several more items relating to the league’s East teams….

  • While Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray are receiving most of the attention in Dallas this offseason, linebacker Rolando McClain is also someone the team is “very interested” in re-signing, according to Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones (link via Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram).
  • The Cowboys were pleased with Brandon Weeden‘s work as Tony Romo‘s backup in 2014, but won’t rule out the possibility of upgrading at that spot if the opportunity presents itself, writes Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. “Everybody is always competing in this league,” Jones said. “There is nobody guaranteed anything. That includes Weeden and everybody.”
  • Prior to their release of tight end James Casey today, the Eagles didn’t have any discussions about reducing Casey’s salary and keeping him, tweets Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News. According to Bowen, the veteran is looking for a bigger role than he had in Philadelphia, so he may get that opportunity with a new team.
  • Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com believes the Eagles may find a logical trade partner in the Buccaneers, since GM Jason Licht hasn’t been shy about making deals since taking over the job. In Mosher’s view, Bucs safety Dashon Goldson makes sense as a trade target for Philadelphia.
  • The issue for the Dolphins when it comes to Mike Wallace isn’t as simple as cutting or keeping the veteran wideout, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, who writes that the team is almost certainly trying to restructure Wallace’s deal, or get him to take a pay cut.

Combine Pressers: Broncos, Falcons, Panthers, Chiefs

February 19th, 2015 at 2:33pm CST by Luke Adams

As we’ve done several times over the last couple days, we’re rounding up noteworthy comments from head coaches and general managers from their sessions with the media at the combine in Indianapolis. Here are a few of this afternoon’s highlights, with all links going to Twitter:

Broncos general manager John Elway (via Lindsay Jones of USA Today):

  • Elway sidestepped a question about whether or not Peyton Manning‘s contract situation will play a role in the QB’s decision for 2015, but said that he believes the future Hall-of-Famer will return. “We’re hopeful Peyton comes back. We want him back. He has not given me a definitive answer,” Elway said.
  • There’s no deadline for Manning to make his decision, according to Elway. That includes March 9, when his 2015 salary becomes guaranteed.
  • Elway confirmed that the Broncos intend to use their franchise tag on Demaryius Thomas if the two sides don’t work out a longer-term agreement by March 2.
  • Terrance Knighton has recently voiced frustration with the slow process of contract negotiations, and Elway said today that he “can’t calm” that frustration. Per Elway, most deals for free-agents-to-be will be consummated right before the free agent period begins on March 10.

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff (via Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com):

  • The Falcons are excited about the No. 8 overall pick, and while they could go in any number of directions, adding a pass rusher figures to be their preference.
  • According to Dimitroff, the team has yet to make any decisions on its current players, including free-agents-to-be or potential cap casualties.
  • Dimitroff said today that his first order of business after the club hired Dan Quinn was to discuss the team’s new scheme and how players will fit into that scheme. Presumably, that discussion covered players currently on the roster as well as potential outside targets.
  • The general manager stressed that he’s “very excited” about working with Quinn, who will have control over the 53-man roster. The two men will work together, and if there’s a disagreement, the head coach will make the final call, per Dimitroff.
  • Dimitroff said there’s no doubt in his mind that Josh McDaniels, who interviewed with the Falcons, will be an NFL head coach again.

Panthers head coach Ron Rivera (via David Newton of ESPN.com):

  • The Panthers were pretty quiet last year when it came to adding free agent receivers, but Rivera said today that GM Dave Gettleman will pull the trigger on a wideout in the right situation. The head coach also noted that the team needs to find a way to make plays over the top and to stop those plays on defense, which suggests Carolina will be targeting speedy wideouts and/or cornerbacks.
  • The Panthers aren’t in the market for a quarterback, per Rivera. While that’s not particularly surprising, given the presence of Cam Newton, it’s a little notable since the former first overall pick is entering the final year of his contract.
  • Left tackle Byron Bell, who is eligible for free agency, did some nice things for the Panthers in 2014, according to Rivera. However, the coach didn’t say whether or not the team would look to retain Bell for 2015 and beyond.

Chiefs general manager John Dorsey (via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star):

  • Asked about free-agent-to-be Justin Houston, Dorsey said discussions with the pass rusher’s agent are “ongoing.” The GM didn’t explicitly say that the Chiefs will franchise Houston if a long-term deal can’t be reached, but he did say he plans on having the NFL’s sack leader back in 2015, which strongly suggests that the tag is in play.
  • Kansas City can afford to keep backup quarterback Chase Daniel, who has a cap hit of $4.8MM in 2015, according to Dorsey. However, he didn’t go so far as to say Daniel will return.
  • Third-string quarterback Tyler Bray also remains in the Chiefs’ plans for now, per Dorsey.

Frank Gore To Seek $4MM Annual Salary

February 19th, 2015 at 1:51pm CST by Luke Adams

As he nears unrestricted free agency, veteran running back Frank Gore appears to be seeking about $4MM per year on a new deal, says Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. According to La Canfora, people around the NFL believe that Gore’s best chance – and perhaps his only chance – to land that kind of money is if he returns to the 49ers.

Gore and the Niners have both publicly expressed interest in continuing their relationship, though an Instagram post from the running back earlier this week suggested he was skeptical that the team’s front office is as eager as he is to work out a new deal. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report indicated earlier this week that Gore seems unlikely to re-sign with San Francisco — Miller identified the Colts, the Dolphins, and Washington as probable suitors for the 31-year-old.

Although Gore will turn 32 in May and has racked up nearly 2,500 career carries, a $4MM annual salary doesn’t seem unreasonable for a back who has rushed for more than 1,100 yards in each of the last four years, and has never averaged less than 4.1 yards per carry in a season. For comparison’s sake, Chris Johnson inked a two-year, $8MM deal with the Jets last winter, though that contract admittedly didn’t work out too well for the team. For Gore, a deal worth $4MM per year would be a step down from his current pact, which averages $6MM+.

We heard earlier today that running back Shane Vereen, who is younger than Gore but has never produced like the longtime Niner – will aim for $5MM per year. Ultimately, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see both backs settle for contracts in the range of $3-3.5MM annually.

NFC West Notes: Seahawks, Rams, 49ers

February 19th, 2015 at 1:37pm CST by Luke Adams

While it’s being viewed as something of an inevitability that the Seahawks will work out an extension with Russell Wilson as he enters the final year of his rookie contract, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com isn’t so sure it’s a lock. La Canfora thinks it’s possible that Wilson chooses to gamble on himself, playing out the final year of his deal before signing a massive extension next winter.

Sources tell the CBSSports.com scribe that there hasn’t been a ton of progress made so far on any extensions for notable QBs, including Wilson, Andrew Luck, and Cam Newton. That will likely change, and if Wilson does reach an agreement with the Seahawks this offseason, expect to be a “mega-deal” and not anything similar to the more modest arrangements agreed upon by guys like Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick.

Here’s more from around the NFC West:

  • Seahawks general manager John Schneider confirmed today that his team won’t be using its franchise tag prior to the March 2 deadline, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. That doesn’t come as a surprise — as I wrote earlier this month, cornerback Byron Maxwell is really the only viable candidate, and the Seahawks aren’t likely to spend big on him.
  • After interviewing Jeff Garcia for the role, the Rams have opted to hire another ex-NFL quarterback as their QB coach, according to ESPN’s Derek Tyson, who tweets that former Heisman winner Chris Weinke is joining Jeff Fisher‘s staff in St. Louis.
  • Echoing comments made by GM Trent Baalke yesterday, albeit using different terminology, 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula told reporters today that he intends to “shoot the bologna” with Justin Smith soon, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. According to Tomsula, he has had a similar conversation with Smith – who may retire – at the end of the last three or four seasons.

Eagles Release James Casey

February 19th, 2015 at 1:09pm CST by Luke Adams

1:09pm: The Eagles have made the move official, announcing (via Twitter) that they’ve cut Casey.

12:54pm: The Eagles will clear some salary cap room for 2015 by parting ways with James Casey, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that the team will release the veteran tight end. Casey had one year left on his deal, which was set to expire after the 2015 season.

Casey, 30, spent the first four seasons of his career with the Texans, parlaying a solid 2012 season into a three-year, $12MM deal with the Eagles. Although he caught 34 balls during his final year in Houston, Casey hasn’t been used as a pass-catcher in Philadelphia, having totaled just six receptions on nine targets in two seasons with the team.

Casey has still been a positive contributor for the Eagles, grading as an above-average run blocker, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). However, considering he only played 173 offensive snaps in 2014, it makes sense that the team would view his $4MM salary for 2015 as exorbitant. That entire $4MM figure is non-guaranteed, so releasing Casey clears a nice chunk of cap space for the Eagles.

As a veteran with six years of NFL experience, Casey will immediately be free to sign with another team once the Eagles make the transaction official.

Combine Pressers: Texans, Giants, Panthers

February 19th, 2015 at 12:36pm CST by Luke Adams

Earlier today, we recapped some noteworthy comments made by head coaches and general managers who spoke to the media this morning at the combine in Indianapolis. Those press conferences will continue through the afternoon until Falcons head coach Dan Quinn wraps things up with his appearance at 3:00pm central time. Here are some highlights from a few of the recent sessions, with all links going to the Twitter accounts of reporters in attendance:

Texans general manager Rick Smith and head coach Bill O’Brien:

  • Asked about how Larry Fitzgerald‘s new contract with the Cardinals might apply to Andre Johnson‘s situation in Houston, Smith said the club may have to address the veteran wideout’s cap number, but hopes to see him spend his entire career with the Texans.
  • Smith was very impressed with what he saw from quarterback Ryan Mallett in 2014, and said it was “apparent” he’d picked up leadership traits from Tom Brady during his time with the Pats. Both Smith and O’Brien said they’re hopeful Mallett, a free-agent-to-be, will be back in Houston. That’s not an uncommon sentiment at this time of year, but the enthusiasm coming from the Texans’ brass for Mallett seems genuine, and I’d be surprised if he ends up elsewhere.
  • Smith also expressed interest in re-signing cornerback Kareem Jackson.
  • While re-signing Mallett is a priority, the Texans intend to look at all the draft-eligible quarterbacks in this year’s class, though the top two likely won’t be available by the time the team picks in the first round.
  • O’Brien believes Arian Foster has plenty of football left in him, but wants to try to manage his workload going forward, and identified running back as a position where the team could look to add someone.
  • O’Brien called Case Keenum a “very viable” quarterback option for the Texans, though it’s not clear if the head coach meant as a starter, or simply as a piece on the 53-man roster.

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin:

  • The Giants’ goal is to keep Jason Pierre-Paul on their roster not just for 2015, but for many years beyond that, according to Coughlin, who wants to see JPP retire as a Giant. “How that works out remains to be seen,” he added.
  • Asked about his own contract situation, Coughlin said that it’s been set in motion and he hopes to be able to provide an update soon on that front. It sounds as if he may be in line for another one-year contract extension.
  • Coughlin had nothing but praise for safety Antrel Rolle, whom he wants to re-sign, but added that the team “obviously” has some financial limitations. The head coach wasn’t quite as enthusiastic when asked about bringing back defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka, declining to comment on whether there’s still a place for Kiwanuka on the roster.

Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman:

  • While he thinks the Panthers’ salary cap situation is in a better place than it used to be, Gettleman cautioned that Carolina is “still not out of the hole,” adding that the team wants to make sure to do things right.
  • According to Gettleman, he walked into a situation in which the Panthers had a ton of money tied up in running backs, and is still working his way through it. The GM acknowledged that he has spoken to DeAngelo Williams since the season ended, but declined to say whether the veteran back will remain on the team’s roster for 2015.
  • Although he wasn’t talking specifically about Greg Hardy, Gettleman rhetorically asked, “Who wants a ticking time bomb?” when discussing the possibility of drafting or signing players with a history of domestic violence.
  • As for Hardy, Gettleman told reporters he has nothing to say about the free agent pass rusher as long as he’s still on Carolina’s exempt list.

Falcons Rumors: Maxwell, Thomas, Bryant

February 19th, 2015 at 12:05pm CST by Luke Adams

Earlier today, in our round-up of a few NFC South items, we passed along a couple of noteworthy Falcons-related tidbits — the team has yet to instigate negotiations on a contract extension for standout wide receiver Julio Jones, and new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan received a three-year deal when he was hired by the club. We’ve had a few more Falcons updates trickle in since then, so let’s check those out:

  • There’s “a lot of talk” that the Falcons will be a strong suitor for free agent cornerback Byron Maxwell, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (via Twitter). As Garafolo points out, Maxwell played under new Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn in Seattle, so there’s a logical connection there. Seahawks GM John Schneider also indicated earlier today that he expects the cornerback to reach the open market.
  • The Falcons will likely be interested in Broncos tight end Julius Thomas, another prospective who looks poised to hit the open market, writes D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta has been looking for an upgrade at the position since Tony Gonzalez retired, but the club would likely have plenty of competition for Thomas, who will be the top tight end available this winter.
  • There have been some talks between the Falcons and kicker Matt Bryant, but no substantial progress has been made so far, tweets Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. The team will meet in Indianpolis with the agent for Bryant, who is eligible for free agency next month

Shane Vereen Aiming For $5MM Per Year

February 19th, 2015 at 11:20am CST by Luke Adams

Patriots running back Shane Vereen is poised to hit the open market next month, and a source tells Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald that Vereen is hopeful of landing a contract worth at least $5MM per year. Howe cautions that while Vereen may be aiming high as a starting point for negotiations, he’s far from a lock to land a deal worth that much annually.

Vereen, who turns 26 next month, had his best season in 2014, setting career-highs in rushing yards (391), receptions (52), receiving yards (447), and overall touchdowns (five). He was also a reliable target in the passing game for Tom Brady during the playoffs, recording 18 postseason receptions, including 11 in the Super Bowl.

Those numbers are fairly modest for a running back seeking $5MM annually, especially when taking into account that no free agent running back landed a salary that high a year ago. However, the Patriots’ running back usage is unconventional, and another team may envision a larger role for Vereen. Additionally, if DeMarco Murray‘s huge amount of touches in 2014 count against him, then Vereen’s relatively light workload should be a plus.

Still, an annual salary of more than about $3.5MM for Vereen would be a surprise. That was the going rate a year ago for players like Donald Brown, Toby Gerhart, and Darren Sproles. Danny Woodhead could also provide a point of comparison for Vereen, since he posted similar numbers to Vereen – and played a similar role – during his final year in New England. He received a two-year, $3.5MM contract from the Chargers, then eventually landed a two-year, $5.5MM extension. With the cap on the rise for the 2015 season, Vereen should do a little better in free agency than Woodhead, but a $5MM annual salary may be out of reach for the former second-round pick.

According to Howe, the Patriots and Vereen exchanged proposals last summer, but weren’t close enough to work out a deal. The team will have some decisions to make at the position this winter, with Stevan Ridley also eligible for free agency.

Vikings Notes: AP, Greenway, Draft, FAs

February 19th, 2015 at 10:59am CST by Luke Adams

A day after Vikings general manager Rick Spielman suggested that he was confident Adrian Peterson will stay with the Vikings, head coach Mike Zimmer echoed that stance. As Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets, Zimmer doesn’t think the team will look at running backs in free agency, with Peterson set to be reinstated in April. Of course, if the Vikings do pass on free agent running backs, then decide to move on from Peterson, the position figures to be a top priority in the draft.

We’ve got plenty more Vikings-related tidbits to pass along, so let’s dive right in….

  • Although he acknowledged that this year’s free agent and draft classes aren’t particularly strong for middle linebackers, Zimmer would like to add a three-down player at the position, if possible. If the club can’t add a player who fits that bill, Zimmer is fine with using a committe approach at the MLB spot (Twitter links via Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune).
  • Speaking of linebackers, Zimmer also said today in an appearance on KFAN 100.3 that he believes Chad Greenway is still the best player at his position on the Vikings’ roster, and that Greenway will have the opportunity to have a role with the team going forward (Twitter link).
  • In his segment on KFAN, Zimmer also mentioned that the Vikes would like to add a young developmental quarterback in this year’s draft, per Ben Goessling of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Obviously, that QB would be groomed as Teddy Bridgewater‘s backup rather than someone who would replace last year’s first-round pick.
  • Asked on Wednesday about his team’s approach in free agency, Spielman said, “I don’t believe in going out and spending a huge amount in free agency unless it’s something unique” (Twitter link via Tomasson).

Combine Pressers: Cards, Browns, Seahawks

February 19th, 2015 at 10:29am CST by Luke Adams

The media availability portion of the NFL’s 2015 scouting combine rolls on today, with press conferences for 20 head coaches and general managers on today’s schedule. Here’s a recap of the noteworthy comments made during a few of this morning’s early pressers, with all links pointed toward the Twitter accounts of reporters in attendance:

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians:

  • Asked about suspended linebacker Daryl Washington, Arians indicated that he doesn’t consider Washington a part of the team until he’s reinstated by the league. “I don’t even think about him,” the head coach said.
  • The Cardinals would like to re-sign Antonio Cromartie, but the team expects the cornerback to reach the open market, according to Arians. That wouldn’t necessarily preclude a return to Arizona, but it sounds like a reasonable bet that Cromartie will land elsewhere.
  • In Arians’ view, defensive speed is one area the Cardinals need to improve, especially at linebacker.
  • The Cardinals are happy with their current offensive tackles, but Arians acknowledged that the interior line positions could use some work — he hopes to have some competition at those spots this year.

Browns general manager Ray Farmer:

  • Before taking questions, Farmer admitted his role in the ‘Textgate’ controversy surrounding the Browns, apologizing to the organization and to fans for the incident.
  • The GM admitted that he and the Browns understood the red flags on Johnny Manziel prior to the 2014 draft, and take responsibility for selecting him in spite of those warning signs.
  • Echoing what head coach Mike Pettine said yesterday, Farmer indicated that “every option is on the table” for the Browns as they try to find a long-term solution at quarterback. That includes free agency, the draft, and even potential trades.
  • Farmer also didn’t rule out the possibility of trading up in the draft for a signal-caller, adding that he has done a cost-benefit analysis on such a move.

Seahawks general manager John Schneider:

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