2015 March - Pro Football Rumors

NFC North Notes: Peterson, Williams, Guion

March 24th, 2015 at 5:55pm CST by Dallas Robinson

As if Adrian Peterson‘s agent stating that it’s not in the running back’s best interests to play for the Vikings doesn’t paint a clear enough picture, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) reports that Peterson definitely wants out Minnesota, preferring to move on and play for a different organization. Per Cole, the three most likely destinations for Peterson are the Cardinals, Colts, and Cowboys — however, the Vikings know of Peterson’s desire to land in Dallas, and have no intention of helping him attain that goal. Vikings GM Rick Spielman has already stated that the club will not release Peterson, so a trade seems to be his only way out of Minnesota.

Here’s more from the NFC North…

Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams has a meeting lined up with his hometown NFL club, as Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN tweets that Williams will visit with the Vikings. Williams is expected to be the first tight end selected in next month’s draft.
Free agent defensive tackle Letroy Guion won’t face any charges resulting from his February arrest, and his case is now considered closed, writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. However, the 27-year-old could still face discipline from the league, as Demovsky adds in a second piece. The Packers have expressed interest in re-signing Guion, who started all 16 games for them last season.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press explains how the Lions acquired Haloti Ngata from the Ravens earlier this month, noting that Detroit’s personnel department began looking at game film of Ngata immediately after Ndamukong Suh signed with the Dolphins.
The Lions are working on setting up a visit with Arkansas guard Cameron Jefferson, per Birkett (Twitter link).

Vikings Sign Taylor Mays

March 24th, 2015 at 5:40pm CST by Luke Adams

5:40pm: The Vikings have officially announced the signing via Twitter.

4:18pm: The Vikings have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent safety Taylor Mays, reports Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Mays, who played for coach Mike Zimmer in Cincinnati, paid a visit to Minnesota last week.

In five NFL seasons with the 49ers and Bengals, Mays has made 84 tackles, recorded one sack, and recovered a pair of fumbles. While his numbers aren’t exceptional, Mays is a solid contributor on special teams, and drew interest from multiple teams when he hit the market this month. Washington had been eyeing Mays, and the Bengals also had interest in re-signing him.

In Minnesota, Mays will join a secondary that also features safeties Harrison Smith and Robert Blanton. Smith is a lock to start in 2015, but Mays could challenge Blanton for playing time. Even if he doesn’t land a starting job, Mays should still see occasional snaps on defense for the Vikes, in addition to playing special teams.

Vikings Sign Casey Matthews

March 24th, 2015 at 5:27pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Vikings have agreed to terms with linebacker Casey Matthews, the club announced on Twitter. Matthews visited the club earlier today, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported (via Twitter), and it looks like a deal was struck during that time. Minnesota’s PR staff also confirmed the signing of safety Taylor Mays, which was reported earlier.

The 26-year-old Matthews, who had spent the entirety of his four-year career with the Eagles, will be moving from Philadelphia’s 3-4 defense to Minnesota’s 4-3 scheme. He’s played both inside and outside ‘backer, so he could conceivably compete with Audie Cole to be the Vikings’ middle linebacker — Minnesota’s 2014 MLB starter, Jasper Brinkley, signed with the Cowboys last week. Alternatively, he could act as depth at OLB, and could play a larger role there if the Vikes decide to part with ways with veteran LB Chad Greenway.

Despite starting only five games combined during his first three years in the league, Matthews started 11 contests last season, primarily due to injuries to Eagles starter DeMeco Ryans. Still, Matthews wasn’t on the field all that much, as he saw action on just 37.5% of the club’s defensive snaps. All told, Matthews racked up 31 tackles and 1.5 sacks, while forcing a fumble and recovering another.

The Vikings have been relatively active this offseason, as in addition to signing Matthews and Mays, they’ve also brought in backup QB Shaun Hill, and traded for receiver Mike Wallace.

Contract Details: Clay, Cromartie, Webb, Britt

March 24th, 2015 at 4:57pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are some specific details on a number of contracts agreed to and/or signed recently. One-year minimum salary benefit deals aren’t included.

AFC deals:

Charles Clay, TE (Bills): Five years, $38MM base value. $24.5MM fully guaranteed. $10MM signing bonus. $10MM roster bonus in 2016. No-trade clause for first three years (three Twitter links via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com and Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun).
Antonio Cromartie, CB (Jets): Four years, $32MM base value. $7MM guaranteed. $2MM roster bonus. No signing bonus (link via Brian Costello of the New York Post).
Lardarius Webb, CB (Ravens): Restructured contract. Three years, $18MM base value. $5.25MM guaranteed. $3MM roster bonus in 2015 (link via Wilson).
Nate Irving, LB (Colts): Three years, $7.25MM base value. $1.5MM guaranteed. $750K signing bonus. Escalators in 2016, 2017 (Twitter link via Wilson).
Karl Klug, DL (Titans): Two years, $3.75MM base value. $1MM signing bonus. $200K roster bonus in 2016. Up to $625K in annual incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
James Harrison, OLB (Steelers): Two years, $2.75MM base value. $500K signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
Byron Stingily, T (Titans): Two years, $2.5MM base value. $250K signing bonus. $800K playing-time escalator (Twitter link via Wilson).
Louis Delmas, S (Dolphins): One year, $2.25MM base value. Up to $1.25MM in incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
Mitch Unrein, DT (Chargers): Two years, $1.9MM base value. $250K signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).

NFC deals:

Kenny Britt, WR (Rams): Two years, $9.15MM base value. $4.05MM guaranteed. $1.5MM roster bonus in 2015. Potential void in 2016 based on 2015 escalator (link via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch).
Jacob Tamme, TE (Falcons): Two years, $3.2MM base value. $400K signing bonus. $250K roster bonus in 2016. $1MM escalator based on performance, playing time (Twitter links via Wilson).
Clint Gresham, LS (Seahawks): Three years, $2.705MM base value. $300K signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
Ahtyba Rubin, DL (Seahawks): One year, $2.5MM base value. $1MM signing bonus. Up to $500K in playing-time incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
Kenrick Ellis, DT (Giants): One year, $1.475MM base value. $500K guaranteed. $300K signing bonus (Twitter link via Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com).
George Selvie, DE (Giants): One year, $1.2MM base value. $200K signing bonus. Up to $200K in incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).

South Notes: Titans, Spencer, Saints, Panthers

March 24th, 2015 at 4:03pm CST by Luke Adams

With the Buccaneers viewed as very likely to draft Jameis Winston first overall next month, the Titans‘ pick at No. 2 is a big one, since it’s not clear whether Tennessee will opt for quarterback Marcus Mariota or select a defender.

Asked today about the Mariota possibility, Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt told reporters, including Jim Corbett of USA Today (Twitter link) that “if he comes to us at No. 2, he’s definitely going to be the Day One starter.” As Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports tweets, Whisenhunt later clarified that he meant if his team were to draft a quarterback second overall, it would be with the expectation that the player would start immediately.

Whisenhunt’s comments don’t necessarily signal that Tennessee is leaning toward the Oregon signal-caller, but the door certainly doesn’t seem closed on that outcome either. Here are a few more notes from around the NFL’s two South divisions:

The latest report on the possibility of a Titans sale has led to the latest round of denials from the organization. This time, it’s interim president Steve Underwood saying that ownership is committed to the team, and doesn’t intend to field offers on the franchise, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. Per Wyatt, Tommy Smith‘s replacement also made it clear that he has confidence in Whisenhunt and GM Ruston Webster.
Former Cowboys DE/OLB Anthony Spencer is visiting New Orleans to meet with the Saints, per Kristian Garic of WWL 870 (via Twitter). Spencer, who has spent all eight years of his NFL career with Dallas, hasn’t started a game since his Pro Bowl season in 2012, but has a history with Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.
Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said today that linebacker Thomas Davis will be next in line for a contract extension, and also suggested that wide receiver Greg Jennings and cornerback Alan Ball are still in play for Carolina — both players have drawn interest from other teams as well, and are taking their time to make decisions.
Texans head coach Bill O’Brien identified safety and offensive line as two spots at which he wants to improve his team’s depth, adding that he’d like to upgrade the club’s return game as well (Twitter link via John McClain of the Houston Chronicle).

Texans Re-Sign Akeem Dent

March 24th, 2015 at 3:42pm CST by Luke Adams

3:42pm: Dent’s two-year deal with the Texans is worth $4.5MM, with $2MM guaranteed, tweets McClain.

2:30pm: The Texans have re-signed linebacker Akeem Dent, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. Dent’s agency confirms the agreement between the two sides, announcing (via Twitter) that it’s a two-year contract for their client.

Dent, 27, spent the 2014 season with the Texans after playing for the Falcons for three years. In his first year in Houston, the former third-round pick recorded 38 tackles and a sack in part-time action, earning playing time at multiple linebacker spots.

Dent’s agent indicated earlier this week that, in addition to the Texans, two other teams were engaged in “extensive dialogue” about a potential deal for the linebacker. However, it’s not clear which clubs were in play.

Financial terms of the agreement aren’t yet known.

Latest On Fifth-Year Option Decisions

March 24th, 2015 at 3:15pm CST by Luke Adams

Before May 3, NFL teams will have to make decisions on 2012’s first-round draftees. Assuming those players are still on their rookie contracts and haven’t been waived since being drafted, they have fifth-year options on their deals for the 2016 season.

The salaries for those team options are determined by position, with the top 10 draftees being paid amounts equal to 2015’s transition tag figures. So quarterbacks like Andrew Luck and Ryan Tannehill will be in line for ’16 salaries of $16.155MM if and when their options are picked up.

Although the deadline to exercise those options is still weeks away, several decision-makers have weighed in at this week’s league meetings in Arizona, discussing what they intend to do. Here’s the latest:

Unsurprisingly, Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman confirmed that he’ll exercise the $11.058MM option for 2016 on linebacker Luke Kuechly, tweets Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. “I’d have to be brain-dead not to,” Gettleman said.
The Bills will be picking up their fifth-year option on cornerback Stephon Gilmore, general manager Doug Whaley tells Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Since Gilmore was the 10th overall pick in 2012, his option for the 2016 season will be worth $11.082MM.
Like Luck and Tannehill, Robert Griffin III‘s option for 2016 would be worth $16.155MM. Washington GM Scot McCloughan said today that the team hasn’t yet made a decision on that option, according to Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com (via Twitter). The option salaries are only guaranteed for injury, so Washington could theoretically pick up RGIII’s option, then cut him before the 2016 league year if he doesn’t play well this season.
The Lions remain undecided on whether or not they’ll pick up Riley Reiff‘s fifth-year option for 2016, GM Martin Mayhew told reporters on Monday, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Reiff has been very good at left tackle for Detroit over the last couple seasons, so it seems extremely unlikely that the team would turn down his option. Still, the Lions unexpectedly declined to pick up Nick Fairley‘s fifth-year option a year ago, so it’s not a lock yet.

Bears To Sign Ray McDonald

March 24th, 2015 at 3:12pm CST by Luke Adams

3:12pm: McDonald’s contract is a one-year, prove-it deal, according to Bears GM Ryan Pace (Twitter link via Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times).

12:55pm: After agreeing to terms with Jarvis Jenkins earlier today, the Bears are poised to bring aboard another free agent defensive lineman, according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that the team is signing former 49er Ray McDonald.

McDonald, 30, was released by the Niners prior to the conclusion of the 2014 season due to what general manager Trent Baalke called a “pattern of poor decision-making.” The veteran defensive lineman never faced legal charges, but was the subject of multiple allegations in apparent domestic violence incidents.

The Santa Clara district attorney’s office decided in November not to file charges against McDonald in his first alleged domestic violence case due to insufficient evidence. The 49ers allowed McDonald to continue to play following that earlier incident, citing due process, and the former third-round pick played well — according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), McDonald was the league’s 12th-best 3-4 defensive end in 2014, grading well both against the run and as a pass rusher.

After McDonald’s second incident, during which he was identified as a suspect in a possible sexual assault investigation, the Niners had simply had enough, and made the decision to cut ties with him. According to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (via Twitter), that investigation is ongoing, though McDonald’s agent has told teams his client will be cleared.

By signing with Chicago, McDonald will reunite with his old defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who made the move from the 49ers to the Bears this offseason. Having played a 4-3 defense last year, the Bears are transitioning to a 3-4 system under Fangio, and are in the process of adding players who will fit that scheme. Both McDonald, who previously played under Fangio, and Jenkins, who played for a 3-4 defense in Washington, fit that bill.

While there’s no doubt that McDonald can make an impact on the field, his off-field issues figure to be a concern for the Bears. The former Florida Gator may not face any charges for last year’s incidents, but the league could still complete its own investigation and decide to suspend him. Presumably, John Fox and the Bears are confident they can keep McDonald out of trouble going forward.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Texans To Promote George Godsey To OC

March 24th, 2015 at 2:52pm CST by Luke Adams

Having gone without an offensive coordinator during Bill O’Brien‘s first year in Houston, the Texans will officially name someone to the position for the 2015 season. According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter), quarterbacks coach George Godsey will get a promotion, receiving the OC title from the club. Godsey and O’Brien served as the Texans’ de facto offensive coordinators in 2014.

O’Brien brought Godsey over with him to Houston from New England when he was hired as the Texans’ head coach in 2014. Before he was named the team’s QBs coach last year, Godsey was an offensive assistant and tight ends coach for the Patriots.

Incredibly, Godsey will become the 15th new offensive coordinator in the NFL this offseason, meaning nearly half the teams in the league have made changes at the position. Of those 15 new OCs, five – including Godsey – have been in-house promotions rather than outside hires.

Our full recap of 2015’s major coaching changes can be found right here.

Bills Rumors: Draft, QBs, Spikes, Dareus

March 24th, 2015 at 2:41pm CST by Luke Adams

The Bills are one of two teams – along with the Seahawks – without a first-round pick this year, and it doesn’t look like that will change. General manager Doug Whaley tells Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that his team has no plans to trade into the first round this spring. Whaley also weighed in on a number of other Bills-related topics today, so let’s check out the highlights….

Trade speculation has been swirling around veteran quarterbacks like Drew Brees and Philip Rivers lately, but Whaley hasn’t been contacted by the Saints or Chargers, and hasn’t reached out to either team, about those signal-callers, tweets Rodak. Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News (Twitter link) independently confirms, via multiple sources, that the Bills aren’t pursuing Rivers at all, though he cautions that could change if the San Diego QB nears free agency next year.
Whaley intends to get in touch with linebacker Brandon Spikes next week, and isn’t ruling out a potential return to Buffalo for the veteran free agent (Twitter link via Rodak).
While the Bills may be willing to make Spikes a modest offer, they don’t have much flexibiity to go higher than the minimum. Whaley, on the team’s remaining cap space: “We’re tapped out. [We’re] at the point now where we’ve got to save for the draft choices and injury replacements” (Twitter link via Carucci).
Asked by Rodak if he’s concerned that Ndamukong Suh‘s monster contract could set a precedent for Marcell Dareus‘ next deal, Whaley replied with an emphatic “yes” (Twitter link).