HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

South Notes: Saints, Gregory, Beasley, Colts

March 30th, 2015 at 3:56pm CST by Luke Adams

The Saints have been one of the league’s busiest teams this month, stockpiling several early-round draft picks and trading core contributors like Jimmy Graham, Kenny Stills, and Ben Grubbs. According to Peter King of TheMMQB.com, the team wants to continue to be active over the course of the next month, which could mean trading veteran guard Jahri Evans, or perhaps extending or dealing defensive end Cameron Jordan. As we wait to see what else GM Mickey Loomis and the Saints have up their sleeves, let’s check in on a few more items from around the NFL’s two South divisions….

  • While Randy Gregory‘s failed drug test at the combine may result in him not being a top-10 pick, it hasn’t necessarily diminished interest in him around the league. Faced with the possibility of Gregory being available, clubs with picks in the second half of the first round are taking a closer look at the Nebraska product. According to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Panthers are the latest team to work out Gregory.
  • Clemson’s Vic Beasley, one of this year’s top edge-rushing prospects, had a workout today with the Falcons, writes Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com.
  • Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com is confused by the Colts‘ apparent decision not to make head coach Chuck Pagano a serious contract extension offer this offseason. Meanwhile, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk explores whether Ryan Grigson‘s involvement in the Deflategate saga could cause a strain on the relationship between Indianapolis’ coach and general manager.

Matt Schaub To Visit Ravens

March 30th, 2015 at 3:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Earlier today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that quarterback Matt Schaub would likely sign a new contract this week, with the Ravens, Jets, and Falcons among the teams in play. Now, Aaron Wilson of the Balimore Sun writes that Schaub is expected to visit Baltimore to meet with the Ravens early this week.

According to Wilson, Schaub has also drawn “solid interest” from the Falcons, but the Sun scribe doesn’t list the Jets as one of the clubs in the mix for the former Raider. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News tweets that it’s “fair to say” the Jets probably won’t add another quarterback of consequence until at least the draft, so it sounds like they’re not serious suitors for Schaub. Per Wilson, the Cowboys and Titans have also expressed interest in the veteran QB.

The Ravens would make some sense as a fit for Schaub. Baltimore lost its top backup earlier this month when Tyrod Taylor signed a new deal with the Bills. Keith Wenning currently looks like the No. 2 option behind Joe Flacco, so I imagine the Ravens wouldn’t mind adding a veteran to the roster.

Eagles Extend DeMeco Ryans Through 2016

March 30th, 2015 at 2:21pm CST by Luke Adams

2:21pm: Ryans’ two-year deal can be worth up to $10.5MM, with a base value of $7.5MM, including $6.25MM in guaranteed money, tweets McLane. McLane adds (via Twitter) that Ryans got a $2.5MM signing bonus to go along with a $2MM base salary for 2015.

1:52pm: The Eagles have agreed to terms on a one-year extension for veteran linebacker DeMeco Ryans, the team announced today in a press release. Ryans previously had one year remaining on his contract, so the new deal keeps him locked up through the 2016 season.

With Mychal Kendricks emerging as a reliable inside linebacker for the Eagles, and Kiko Alonso coming aboard in the LeSean McCoy swap, there was some uncertainty surrounding Ryans heading into the 2015 season, particularly since his cap hit for the coming year was $6.9MM.

The specific terms of the new agreement have yet to be reported, but the extension reduces Ryans’ salary for the coming year, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter). The move should lower the longtime Eagle’s cap number and create some additional flexibility for the team.

Ryans’ 2014 season came to an early end when he suffered a torn Achilles and landed on the injured reserve list. In the eight games he played for the Eagles, he logged 45 tackles, recovered a fumble, and grabbed an interception.

FA Rumors: Schaub, Barnes, Myers, Jaguars

March 30th, 2015 at 12:42pm CST by Luke Adams

The Raiders opted to replace Matt Schaub with Christian Ponder as their backup quarterback heading into 2015, releasing Schaub earlier this month. However, it doesn’t appear that the veteran signal-caller will be out of work for long. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Schaub will likely sign a new deal this week. The Jets, Ravens, and Falcons are among the teams in the running to land him.

Let’s check in on a few other items related to free agents….

  • Free agent offensive lineman Tim Barnes, who played center and guard for the Rams, is visiting the Chiefs today, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). Kansas City already fortified its interior offensive line by acquiring Ben Grubbs from the Saints, but the team is looking for additional pieces, having lost a big one in center Rodney Hudson.
  • Speaking of free agent centers, ex-Texans lineman Chris Myers is visiting the Seahawks today, a source tells Schefter (Twitter link). Seattle sent Max Unger to New Orleans earlier in March, and has been eyeing free agent centers, including Stefen Wisniewski.
  • Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union takes a closer look at free agent wideout Greg Jennings to determine whether he’s a fit for the Jaguars.
  • The Ravens aren’t necessarily done adding free agents, but there aren’t many noteworthy players still on the board at the positions they’d want to target. Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun examines some of the free agent options for the team at wide receiver, tight end, cornerback, and a couple other spots.

Panthers Sign Jordan Todman

March 30th, 2015 at 11:39am CST by Luke Adams

The Panthers have signed a free agent running back, adding Jordan Todman to their backfield on a one-year deal, the team announced today (via Twitter).

Todman, who turned 25 last month, was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 draft by the Chargers, and spent time in San Diego and Minnesota before landing with the Jaguars. Todman has played for Jacksonville since 2012, totaling 450 rushing yards on 111 carries and 314 receiving yards on 40 catches during his 33 games with the Jags. The Connecticut product is also a special teams contributor, and was Jacksonville’s primary kick returner in 2014, averaging 25.6 yards on 38 returns.

In Carolina, Todman will join a group of running backs led by Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert. Darrin Reaves and Fozzy Whittaker are also under contract with the Panthers, so Todman will have to fight for a roster spot and for playing time. One player he won’t have to beat out is longtime Panthers back DeAngelo Williams, who was released by the team earlier in the offseason.

Falcons Fined $350K, Lose Fifth-Round Pick

March 30th, 2015 at 11:22am CST by Luke Adams

After announcing the penalties levied against the Browns for their “Textgate” scandal, the NFL has also confirmed the discipline for the Falcons for piping artificial crowd noise into their home stadium. According to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (Twitter links), the Falcons have been fined $350K, and will lose a fifth-round pick in 2016.

Per McClure (via Twitter), team president Rich McKay will also be suspended from the league’s competition committee, as Adam Schefter reported earlier today. That ban will begin on April 1, and McKay can’t be reinstated until at least June 30. As for the draft pick, McClure notes that if the team ends up holding multiple fifth-rounders, the higher pick will be taken away.

The Falcons’ former director of event marketing, Roddy White (not to be confused with the wide receiver of the same name), was found responsible for implementing the fake crowd noise at the club’s home games in 2013 and 2014. According to McClure (via Twitter), White will face an eight-week suspension if he gets a job with another team.

The penalty for the Falcons’ rule violations is perhaps a little harsher than the one the Browns received after GM Ray Farmer was found to have sent text messages to the sidelines during games. Cleveland was hit with a $250K fine, and Farmer will have to stay away from the team during the first four weeks of the regular season, but the Browns didn’t lose a draft pick.

Browns Fined $250K, GM Suspended Four Games

March 30th, 2015 at 11:10am CST by Luke Adams

The Browns have been hit with a $250K fine and general manager Ray Farmer has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2015 season, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (via Twitter). The penalties from the league come as a result of Farmer sending text messages to members of the Browns on the sidelines during games in 2014.

The NFL and executive VP Troy Vincent released the following statement on the matter, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com:

“The use of a cell phone on multiple occasions during games in 2014 by Cleveland Browns General Manager Ray Farmer was a violation of NFL rules that prohibit certain uses of electronic devices during games. Based on these violations, the Browns have been fined $250,000 and Ray Farmer will be suspended without pay for the first four regular-season games of the 2015 season. The suspension will start on midnight of the Sunday preceding the Browns’ first regular-season game and will end immediately after the Browns’ fourth regular-season game. During the period of the suspension, Farmer cannot be involved in any club matters and is prohibited from being at the Browns’ offices, practice facility, or at Browns games.

“There was no evidence in the NFL’s review that Browns ownership or any other team executives had knowledge of the prohibited conduct. Once the violation was discovered, Browns management implemented new processes to ensure future compliance.

“We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation the Browns organization extended during our inquiry.”

As Schefter reported earlier today, the Browns won’t lose a draft pick for their violations of league rules. That’s good news for the franchise, as Cleveland heads into next month’s draft in good position, armed with multiple first-round picks and fourth-round picks.

Discipline Imminent For Falcons, Browns

March 30th, 2015 at 10:33am CST by Luke Adams

10:33am: According to Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal Consitution (via Twitter), the Falcons expect to lose a draft pick for 2016, rather than 2015.

9:55am: An announcement regarding the discipline for rules violations by the Falcons and the Browns is expected to come by Tuesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The NFL has been looking into violations by both teams for several weeks.

The Falcons, who admitted to piping artificial crowd noise in at their home games, are expected to lose a draft pick, sources tell Schefter (Twitter link). While Schefter doesn’t specify which pick Atlanta will lose, I doubt it would be an early-round selection. The NFL will also likely suspend team president Rich McKay from the league’s competition committee, per Schefter.

As for the Browns, general manager Ray Farmer, who reportedly sent text messages to coaches on the team’s sideline during games, figures to be suspended for his role in the “Textgate” scandal. However, the Browns aren’t expected to lose a draft pick, according to Schefter (via Twitter).

Schefter adds that both teams may also receive “hefty fines” for running afoul of NFL rules.

The investigations into the Falcons and Browns are just two of a handful of notable ongoing cases for the league — Peter King of TheMMQB.com noted today that the league still has “a while to go” on tampering allegations made by the Jets and Patriots regarding Darrelle Revis. It doesn’t appear as if the Deflategate investigation, led by Ted Wells, is close to wrapping up either. The NFL is also reportedly looking into potential violations by more than half the teams in the league during this month’s “legal tampering” period prior to free agency.

Hakeem Nicks To Visit 49ers

March 30th, 2015 at 8:07am CST by Luke Adams

As the 49ers continue to weigh their options at wide receiver, they’ll host a veteran free agent for a visit, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Anderson reports that former Giant and Colt Hakeem Nicks is paying a visit to San Francisco to meet with the Niners.

While fellow 2009 first-round wideout Jeremy Maclin parlayed a one-year, prove-it deal in 2014 into a huge, long-term contract, Nicks was unable to do the same in Indianapolis. After receiving 100 or more targets in each of his previous four seasons in New York, Nicks saw a career-low 68 passes thrown his way in 2014, as Andrew Luck and the Colts relied more on T.Y. Hilton, Reggie Wayne, and Coby Fleener in the passing game. Nicks finished the season with 405 yards and three touchdowns on 38 receptions.

The Niners made a big splash in free agency when they landed Torrey Smith on a lucrative five-year contract, and the ex-Raven should be a nice complement for former teammate Anquan Boldin. However, San Francisco has seen a number of receivers depart this offseason, with Michael Crabtree and Brandon Lloyd hitting the free agent market, while Steve Johnson was released. As such, the team is in need of some additional depth at the position.

San Francisco will be the first team Nicks has visited this offseason. The former 29th overall pick just turned 27 in June and has a pair of 1,000-yard seasons on his résumé, but doesn’t seem to be generating a ton of interest on the open market this year after posting pedestrian numbers for the Colts.

Extra Points: Winston, Panthers, Texans, LA

March 29th, 2015 at 10:21pm CST by Dallas Robinson

While certainly nothing is definite at this stage in the draft process, the Buccaneers are overwhelmingly likely to select Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston with the first overall pick, according to Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune (Twitter link), who says the Bucs are “locked in” on Winston. A poor Pro Day showing by Winston won’t affect his draft stock, at least from Tampa’s perspective, adds Kaufman.

Here’s more from around the league…

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