HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

West Notes: Lynch, Raiders, 49ers

February 10th, 2015 at 8:05pm CST by Zachary Links

If Marshawn Lynch winds up walking away, the Seahawks need a solid Plan B, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. There are two prime candidates at the position: DeMarco Murray and Adrian Peterson. Murray could hit the open market if the Cowboys do not work out a long-term deal and don’t use the franchise tag. Meanwhile, the Seahawks would make plenty of sense for a veteran like Peterson who is hungry to win a championship. More from the West divisions…

  • The Raiders‘ top remaining free agent is center Stefen Wisniewski, ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson writes. The two sides have talked, but they still appear to be pretty far apart on terms. Oakland could also look to keep cornerback Tarell Brown.
  • New isn’t always better and many are wondering what the 49ers have done this offseason with their coaching shakeup, as Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. “You can get a different defensive coordinator, but you’re not going to get a better one than Vic Fangio,” said former Super Bowl-winning coach Brian Billick, later adding: “The battle (for the 49ers) is: ‘Can we replace what we just lost?’ (Because) what we lost was pretty darn good.’”
  • The Seahawks announced that they have promoted Rocky Seto to the position of assistant head coach on defense, according to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times (on Twitter). Seto previously served as Seattle’s defensive passing game coordinator.

Minor Moves: Tuesday

February 10th, 2015 at 6:48pm CST by Luke Adams

We’ll use this space to round up Tuesday’s minor transactions from around the NFL, starting with a former third-round pick finding a new home. Any additional updates will be listed at the top of the page throughout the evening. Here’s the latest:

  • The Dolphins announced that they have signed free agent tight end Ryan Taylor, according to ESPN.com’s James Walker (on Twitter). Taylor was waived by the Browns in December.
  • Free agent cornerback Curtis Brown, who entered the league in 2011 as a Steelers third-round pick, has signed with the Jets, the team announced today in a press release. Although Brown saw a good chunk of playing time on defense in 2012 as the nickel corner in Pittsburgh, he was relegated primarily to special teams duty in 2013 before an ACL injury sidelined him and led to his release. We heard last week that the 26-year-old had a workout scheduled for today with the Jets, so presumably that audition went well.
  • Washington has signed a pair of offensive lineman, announcing in a press release that Tyler Larsen and Ty Nsekhe have been added to the team’s offseason roster. Larsen, a former Utah State center, spent time with the Dolphins last summer, while Nsekhe was removed from the Saints’ injured reserve list back in September.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

NFC South Notes: Benson, S-Jax, Falcons

February 10th, 2015 at 6:09pm CST by Zachary Links

A court in San Antonio ruled yesterday that Saints owner Tom Benson needs help in managing his assets in Texas, as Katherine Sayre of The Times-Picayune writes. Meanwhile, Benson’s daughter Renee is seeking to overthrow Tom as trustee in the Texas trust, arguing he has mismanaged assets and is in declining health.

Benson, who owns the NBA’s Pelicans in addition to the Saints, suffered another loss in court today, when a New Orleans judge ruled that the 87-year-old must undergo evaluations by three different doctors to determine whether he remains competent to control his NFL and NBA franchises. As Andy Grimm of the Times-Picayune details, one doctor will be appointed by Benson, one by his daughter Renee, and the third will be named by those first two physicians.

Here’s more on the Benson story, along with a couple other notes out of the NFC South:

  • Saints owner Tom Benson issued a statement regarding his current situation and it sounds like he has no intention of backing down. “I have instructed my attorneys to spare no effort in defending my rights and the decisions I have made. The decisions I have made are well within my rights to make at any point in my life, and rest assured that I am making sound decisions. I need not look any further than to read the allegations made against me in these multiple lawsuits to rest easy that I have made the correct decisions,” Benson said in the statement (via Saints VP of communications Greg Bensel on Twitter).
  • Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (on Twitter) doesn’t expect Steven Jackson to be back with the Falcons next season. McClure notes that Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan declined to address Jackson’s future with the team, though that would ultimately be more in the court of head coach Dan Quinn.  Jackson, 32 in July, appeared in 15 games for the Falcons last season, running for 707 yards off of 190 carries with 6 TDs. Cutting Jackson would save Atlanta $3.75MM against the cap.
  • The Falcons officially announced the rest of their coaching staff for the upcoming season. Atlanta hired Keith Carter as assistant offensive line coach, Matt LaFleur as quarterbacks coach, Doug Mallory as defensive assistant/linebackers coach, Marquand Manuel as secondary coach/senior defensive assistant, Mike McDaniel as offensive assistant, Chris Morgan as offensive line coach, Jeff Ulbrich as linebackers coach, and Chad Walker as defensive assistant/defensive backs.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Wes Welker Mulling Retirement

February 10th, 2015 at 4:32pm CST by Zachary Links

Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker is considering retirement, according to Mike Garafolo of FOXSports.com. Years of head injuries and declining production have led the 33-year-old wide receiver to consider walking away from the game.

One of the sources said no final decision has been made by the pending free agent but Welker has told friends, family, and associates that he’s giving the notion some serious thought. The veteran has hauled in 122 catches for 1,242 yards and 12 touchdowns over the last two seasons with Denver, though his reception total dropped from 73 in 2013 to 49 in 2014. Welker had only two touchdowns this past season, a campaign where he wound up playing in just nine regular season contests. The most important number of all might be 3: the number of concussions Welker has suffered during his two years in Denver. His most recent documented concussion came in the 2014 preseason.

If Welker’s career is truly over, then he’ll have left the sport with one heck of a resume. Welker, an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech, burst out of relative obscurity in 2006 with the Dolphins when he caught 67 balls for 687 yards. The next year, he landed with the Patriots where his career really took off. Serving as a trusted receiver for Tom Brady, Welker became a five-time Pro Bowler and a two-time First-Team All-Pro. With the unlikely 5’9 target as an integral part of the offensive attack, the Pats captured two AFC Championship trophies.

Free Agent Market For Running Backs

February 10th, 2015 at 4:06pm 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 running backs. Let’s dive in….

Top unrestricted FAs:

While the free agent market for quarterbacks lacks a real difference-maker, that’s not the case at running back. The position may have become devalued in recent years, but the lack of impact deals in free agency last winter could largely be attributed to the lack of impact players available. If the NFL’s leading rusher (Murray) hits the open market, he’ll do very well, despite potential concerns about his 2014 workload, or about a production drop-off behind a new offensive line.

Murray isn’t the only potential starter in this group. Mathews and Ingram have been inconsistent since entering the league as first-round draft picks, but have shown plenty of promise, and should provide value if they can stay healthy. Gore and Forsett will both be on the wrong side of 30 by the end of 2015, but are coming off very impressive 2014 campaigns, and I’d bet on them having something left in the tank.

Outside of Murray, the most intriguing name on this list might be Spiller. Like Mathews and Ingram, he has been plagued by injuries in recent years, but his big-play ability makes him very appealing, especially if he comes on the cheap. I could envision Spiller approaching free agency the same way that Jeremy Maclin did a year ago, taking a one-year deal with the hopes of having a big season and landing a more sizable contract the following year.

Rounding out this top tier: Bradshaw and Ridley, who will look to return from season-ending injuries; and Helu and Vereen, who will appeal to teams looking to add a receiving threat out of the backfield.

Other unrestricted options:

Most of the notable names on this list have huge question marks hovering over them as they prepare to enter the open market. McFadden has averaged 3.4 yards per carry or less for three consecutive seasons; Moreno is coming off elbow and ACL injuries that ended his year prematurely; Tate played for three different teams in 2014 and didn’t do much to impress at any of those three stops; and Rice’s production appeared to be on the decline even before he lost a season dealing with the aftermath of his domestic violence incident.

Are there worthwhile backups and change-of-pace options among this group? Sure. McKnight and Antone Smith are a couple of home-run hitters who could shine for the right team, and Powell has shown some potential. There are also several veterans on this list who could contribute on special teams, either in kick coverage or in the return game, which will give them a little more value than the more one-dimensional backs.

Still, given the going rate for running backs these days, many of these players will likely sign minimum-salary contracts with modest guarantees for the 2015 season, if they land with a team at all.

Restricted FAs:

In many cases, these young backs are insurance policies for veteran starters, and while they may not be as cheap as restricted free agents as they were during their first three seasons, their respective teams should have interest in bringing them back.

I anticipate that players like Cadet, Polk, and Dunbar, who have spent all three seasons with their current teams, will be good candidates for the low-end restricted free agent tender. Rainey and Todman should also receive tenders, and may be the backs in this group most likely to draw interest from rival suitors. Neither player figures to head into 2015 as the top running back on his team’s depth chart, but they’ve both been productive in their limited opportunities.

Asiata is perhaps the most recognizable name here, if only because his nine touchdowns in 2014 made him a popular – if unreliable – fantasy football commodity. The 27-year-old has only averaged 3.5 yards per carry in over 200 career attempts, and is older than most of the other players on this list. But with Adrian Peterson a good bet to be traded or released by the Vikings, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Minnesota bring back Asiata.

Previously:

AFC West Notes: Manning, Coleman, Raiders

February 10th, 2015 at 2:50pm CST by Luke Adams

Our latest look at the AFC West touches on three of the four teams in the division. Let’s dive in….

  • While Peyton Manning seems set to eventually announce his intent to return to the Broncos for the 2015 season, the team will need to make a decision of its own on the veteran quarterback. As Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) explains, Denver could fail Manning on his physical and opt not to bring him back, reducing his cap hit by $16.5MM. Still, despite Manning’s huge cap hit and his potential injury risk, I’d be pretty shocked if the Broncos decided to go in another direction if the future Hall-of-Famer wants to return, and Cole concedes as much — however, he adds that he’d be surprised if Manning plays more than one final year in Denver.
  • Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star profiles free-agent-to-be Kurt Coleman, who is coming off a bounce-back season. Although he only played about 36% of the Chiefs‘ defensive snaps, Coleman was productive when he saw the field, ranking 26th out of 87 qualified safeties, per Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required). According to Paylor, Coleman is expected to seek an annual salary in the $1.5-2MM range, and will favor opportunities where has a chance to compete for a starting job.
  • According to new Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio, the topic of possible relocation surfaced when he met with owner Mark Davis during the interview process, and Davis assured him that he wants to keep the franchise in Oakland. “Those discussions absolutely came up and my question was ‘Are we going to stay in Oakland?’ and he said ‘My intent is to keep the team there,'” Del Rio said on the Jim Rome Show. “Look, I’m from this area, and that’s exactly what I wanted to hear. He’s trying to keep the team here and hopefully that will happen.”
  • New Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips confirmed that he’ll be bringing the 3-4 defense to Denver for the 2015 season, tweets Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com.

Steelers Notes: Ben, Worilds, FAs, Draft

February 10th, 2015 at 1:28pm CST by Luke Adams

Speaking to reporters today, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert addressed a number of items on his team’s offseason to-do list, including contract extension talks with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. While there was some initial confusion among local reporters about Colbert’s comments about Big Ben, the team’s PR rep, Burt Lauten, tweets that the Steelers have indeed begun preliminary negotiations on a new deal with their QB. The club is confident that the two sides will work something out that locks up Roethlisberger for the next few years, according to Colbert.

That piece of info comes from Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (via Twitter), and Kaboly tweeted several more highlights from Colbert’s presser, as did ESPN’s Scott Brown and Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Here are the noteworthy comments and observations from Colbert, with all links going to Twitter:

  • According to Colbert, the Steelers would like to re-sign outside linebacker Jason Worilds, believing he had a good season in 2014 and that he has plenty of upside going forward. While the club doesn’t like to use the franchise tag, it hasn’t ruled out the possibility of assigning the transition tag to Worilds again this season. The cost for that tag in 2014 was about $9.75MM — it would be higher (likely around $11MM) in 2015.
  • At the moment, Colbert is concerned about the depth at tight end and outside linebacker, since only Heath Miller and Jarvis Jones are under contract for 2015 at those positions.
  • Defensive backs and pass rushers will be among Pittsburgh’s top priorities in free agency and the draft. The team will consider adding a starting cornerback if there is one who fits into the team’s system and cap, according to Colbert: “Sure, that’s a position that you are looking for help. Is there one who is available and signable? I don’t know yet.”
  • It doesn’t sound as if Colbert would be too concerned if the Steelers don’t make major additions at cornerback and outside linebacker in free agency — he believes it’s a strong draft class for both of those spots. For now though, every position remains in play for the club’s first-round pick (No. 22 overall).
  • Colbert and head coach Mike Tomlin will begin talks on Wednesday about which prospective free agents the team wants to attempt to re-sign. Ike Taylor and James Harrison are among the veteran defenders who will be up for discussion.
  • The Steelers won’t have to make as many cap-clearing moves in advance of free agency as they did a year ago, per Colbert.

Seahawks GM Talks Lynch, Wilson, Future

February 10th, 2015 at 12:42pm CST by Luke Adams

Seahawks general manager John Schneider appeared on The Brock and Salk Show on 710 ESPN Seattle today, and while the GM was careful not to reveal much, he did discuss his two offensive stars in the interview, hinting at what their futures may entail. Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times rounded up a few of Schneider’s key quotes, so let’s check out the highlights:

  • The Seahawks still aren’t sure whether or not Marshawn Lynch wants to play next season, according to Schneider. The team hopes he’ll make a decision soon, so that the front office can move forward on offseason plans, but the GM admitted that he knows Lynch’s decision “may not happen overnight.”
  • If Lynch does return, he almost certainly won’t be playing on the same contract, says Schneider, which makes sense, given recent reports about possible extension talks between the Seahawks and the veteran running back. Seattle was reluctant to make any changes to Lynch’s contract last summer when he was holding out, but is more inclined to rework it now that there’s just one year left instead of two.
  • Asked about a contract extension for quarterback Russell Wilson, Schneider declined to comment on specifics, but said, “Russell knows there are certain dominoes that have to fall into place…. He knows. He gets it. He wants to win for a long time.” While that’s a little cryptic, it’s a hint that Wilson is willing to structure his new deal in a way that doesn’t hamper the team’s cap flexibility. We had previously heard that negotiations on an extension for Wilson were expected to begin right after the Super Bowl, and that a new contract could make him the highest-paid QB in the NFL. Schneider confirmed that he has already started talking to the young signal-caller’s agent.
  • Despite losing this year’s Super Bowl, the Seahawks “have a shot to be a championship-caliber team for a long time,” in Schneider’s view. “I just have the confidence in the coaching staff and everybody that we have upstairs that we are going to get this thing back on track,” he said.

Jets To Target Revis Over Cromartie

February 10th, 2015 at 11:52am CST by Luke Adams

While Darrelle Revis is technically under contract for 2015, his $20MM base salary and $25MM cap number actually make him more likely to hit the open market than some notable prospective free agents. Players like Justin Houston and Dez Bryant don’t have contracts for 2015 yet, but their respective teams can use the franchise tag to keep them around. The franchise tag isn’t in play for the Patriots and Revis — if the team can’t come to an agreement on an extension with the cornerback and doesn’t want to pick up his pricey option, he’ll be cut.

If the Pats do release Revis, the former Jets cornerback will be a top priority on New York’s list of free agent targets. According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link), as much as Antonio Cromartie would like to return to the Jets, he will be a “distant second” to Revis as the team considers its free agent options at cornerback.

Of course, Cromartie could move up to that No. 1 spot on the Jets’ list of free agent corners if the Pats manage to work something out with Revis prior to March 10. There are other noteworthy cornerbacks eligible for free agency this winter, such as Byron Maxwell, Brandon Flowers, and Kareem Jackson, but none of those players looks like as ideal a fit as Cromartie for the Jets. Arizona cornerback Patrick Peterson told ESPN.com recently that all his teammate talks about is “freaking New York,” where former Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is now the head coach.

As Cole explains, Cromartie recognizes that, coming off a strong season in Arizona and having turned 30 last April, this may be his last, best shot at a big, long-term contract. So if the Jets decide to sign Revis to that sort of deal, Cromartie may turn elsewhere. If Revis returns to New England though, the Jets – armed with a ton of cap space and a need at CB – may be a perfect match for a player looking to return to New York and sign one more lucrative contract.

Bills Sign Richie Incognito

February 10th, 2015 at 11:08am CST by Rob DiRe

TUESDAY, 11:08am: As Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets, Incognito will have a base salary of $900K, a signing bonus of $100K, and a workout bonus of $100K. The veteran guard can also earn up to $350K in per-game roster bonuses, and $800K in playing-time incentives. So it looks like the deal can only be worth $2.25MM if it maxes out, with a more modest base value.

Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk notes that the playing-time incentives begin if Incognito plays at least 60% of Buffalo’s offensive snaps, and max out if he plays more than 75%.

MONDAY, 11:03am: The Bills have officially signed Incognito, the team announced today. The press release confirming the move includes a statement from co-owner Terry Pegula, which reads as follows:

“I personally met with Richie, along with Doug Whaley, Rex Ryan and Kim [Pegula] regarding an opportunity to earn a spot on the Buffalo Bills roster. Obviously, we all discussed Richie’s past experience in the NCAA and NFL. We are convinced that Richie is prepared to move forward and has and will continue to take the necessary steps to improve himself as a person and a teammate. Following discussion with the rest of the coaching staff, we as an organization will provide him with the opportunity to do so.”

SATURDAY, 8:02pm: Incognito’s one-year deal is worth $2.25MM, tweets ESPN’s Mike Rodak.

5:14pm: The Bills have officially reached an agreement with Incognito, according to a team press release. It’s a one-year deal, tweets ESPN’s James Walker. Financial terms have not yet been disclosed.

2:27pm: We heard last night that Richie Incognito was visiting the Bills, and now the team has signed the controversial free agent guard, according to Jeff Darlington of the NFL Network (via Twitter).

Before the season, Dallas Robinson assessed Incognito’s stock, noting that in the absence of guaranteed money or a large financial commitment, the Pro Bowl guard’s talent should be enough to warrant at least one team taking a chance on him.

Incognito was able to work out for teams, but was unable to sign on for the 2014 NFL season despite being cleared to play. He will get another chance with Rex Ryan and the Bills, as well as a chance to face his former team – the Dolphins – twice in 2015.

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