2015 March - Pro Football Rumors

North Rumors: Blalock, Rolle, Ravens

March 12th, 2015 at 10:42am CST by Zachary Links

Veteran offensive lineman Justin Blalock is paying a visit to the Lions today, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Yesterday, we learned that St. Louis and Detroit both have interest in the ex-Falcon, and that he planned to visit the Rams as well.

A day after agreeing to sign with the Bears, Antrel Rolle tells SiriusXM NFL Radio that his decision came down to Chicago and Washington, and adds that he’s not sure why the Giants seemingly had no interest in bringing him back (Twitter links).
The Ravens have preliminary interest in former Bills tight end Scott Chandler, league sources tell Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Chandler, 30 in July, was released by the Bills on Tuesday.
The Ravens are looking to bring in a veteran to challenge quarterback Keith Wenning for the backup job, Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun tweets. There’s not a whole lot of quality free agent quarterbacks remaining, however.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Jaguars Release Red Bryant

March 12th, 2015 at 10:23am CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars have released defensive lineman Red Bryant, according to Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida Times-Union (on Twitter).

Bryant’s release had been rumored for some time due to his cap number for the coming season. At a presser yesterday, GM David Caldwell told reporters that no decision had been made on Bryant’s situation yet, but that might not have been exactly true.

Bryant, 31 in April, saw time in all 16 games in his first and only season for the Jaguars. In total, he racked up 23 tackles to go with one pass deflection and one sack. Bryant graded out as being just below average according to Pro Football Focus‘ (subscription required) metrics, coming in with a -1.6 grade. Overall, that placed him No. 31 out of 59 qualified 4-3 defensive ends.

Bryant’s contract called for him to earn $19MM in total between the years of 2014 and 2017. However, his only guaranteed money came in year one between his $3.5MM roster bonus and $1.225MM base salary in ’14. By dropping Bryant, the Jaguars have given themselves $4.5MM in cap savings for the coming year while adding additional flexibility in years to come.

Cowboys To Sign Jed Collins

March 12th, 2015 at 10:17am CST by Zachary Links

We don’t know who will be running the ball for the Cowboys next season, but we do know who will be clearing the path. The Cowboys have signed fullback Jed Collins, according to Eric Edholm of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter).

Collins, 29, visited with Dallas on Wednesday night and apparently agreed to a deal this morning. Collins, who was actually the first player the Cowboys have hosted in free agency, will serve as a replacement for free agent Tyler Clutts. He spent the first three years career with New Orleans before joining up with Detroit last year. With the Lions, he saw a good amount of time on offense, plus time on special teams.

Latest On Ryan Mathews

March 12th, 2015 at 10:09am CST by Zachary Links

After dealing LeSean McCoy to the Bills, the Eagles appeared set to try and replace his production with the addition of Ryan Mathews. Well, after already agreeing to a deal with one notable back and having it fall apart, nothing is a sure thing in Philly until it’s signed. The Eagles are now talking with DeMarco Murray, and some can’t help but wonder if that will put their deal with Mathews in flux.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) says it’s worth noting that the Raiders have always been high on the Chargers free agent. However, John Middlekauff of 95.7 The Game (on Twitter) says that the Eagles trying to sign Murray has no impact on Mathews. Coach Chip Kelly, he hears, wants them both. Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego (on Twitter) notes that if If Murray joins Philly, it could affect tone of Mathews’ contract. Any playing time, performance incentives built into Mathews’ deal would more difficult to earn with a presumably reduced workload.

Mathews rushed for a career-high 1,255 yards in 2013 but was unable to stay healthy in 2014, playing just eight games for San Diego due to injuries. He could have a chance to turn things around in the Eagles’ revamped offense, but we won’t know for sure until he puts pen to paper.

Buccaneers Likely To Cut Dashon Goldson

March 12th, 2015 at 10:07am CST by Zachary Links

THURSDAY, 10:07am: Now that Conte is under contract with the Bucs, resolution on Goldson should be coming soon. According to Stroud (Twitter links), the team hasn’t ruled out the possibility of finding a trade partner for Goldson, but even if Bucs don’t find a deal, they’re unlikely to bring back Goldson for 2015.

WEDNESDAY, 6:37am: The Buccaneers are preparing to release safety Dashon Goldson once they complete a deal with fellow safety Chris Conte, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter).

After signing a five-year deal prior to the 2013 season, Goldson was supposed to team with Darrelle Revis to give Tampa Bay one of the most feared secondaries in the league. That didn’t quite work out Goldson, 30, hasn’t held up his end of the bargain, as he’s been among the worst safeties in the NFL, including grading out as the second-worst at his position in 2014, according to PFF.

He’s was floated as a trade candidate, but even with a lack of quality safeties out there, it probably wasn’t easy to find another team willing to take on Goldon’s contract, which contains a $7.5MM base salary for this season ($4MM guaranteed). Tampa will now have to carry that $4MM in dead money.

Michael Johnson To Visit Vikings

March 12th, 2015 at 10:04am CST by Zachary Links

Michael Johnson‘s first visit will be with the Vikings, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Nothing is finalized yet, but the powwow will probably take place on Friday (link).

Johnson, 28, was released by the Buccaneers just one year after inking a five-year, $43.75MM contract to help solidify Tampa Bay’s defensive line. Like most Bucs, Johnson had an underwhelming 2014 campaign — he logged just four sacks, and Pro Football Focus graded him as the league’s 53rd-best 4-3 defensive end, out of 59 qualified players (subscription required).

The Vikings were linked to Johnson early on in his free agent process thanks to the connection between the defensive end and head coach Mike Zimmer. On Wednesday, a source told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press that the two are still close and that Johnson nearly went to Minnesota last year as a result.

The Bengals, Johnson’s old team, have also expressed interest.

Ravens Re-Sign Anthony Levine

March 12th, 2015 at 9:57am CST by Zachary Links

THURSDAY, 9:57am: The Ravens have officially re-signed Levine, the team announced today in a press release.

WEDNESDAY, 5:21pm: Levine’s two-year deal is worth $2.4MM, including a $400K signing bonus and playing time incentives, a source tells Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).

1:41pm: The Ravens have re-signed Anthony Levine to a two-year deal, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). On Tuesday, Baltimore declined to tender an offer to the cornerback.

Levine, 28 at the end of March, appeared in all 16 games for the Ravens last season, recording 33 tackles and four pass deflections. Levine has spent the last three seasons of his career with Baltimore after playing his first season in Green Bay.

Buccaneers Sign Chris Conte

March 12th, 2015 at 9:46am CST by Zachary Links

9:46am: It’s a done deal for Conte and the Bucs, tweets Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com.

8:12am: Conte will sign his one-year deal with the Bucs this morning, tweets McClure.

THURSDAY, 7:51am: Conte is still on track to get something done with the Bucs, but he has a visit lined up with the Jets in case the two sides can’t settle on contract details, tweets McClure.

WEDNESDAY, 5:11pm: Former Bears safety Chris Conte is expected to sign with the Bucs, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweets. The two sides are working on a contract now.

The former third-round pick had made 57 appearances since entering the NFL in 2011, including 52 starts. Conte had a career year in 2013, recording career-highs in tackles (90), interceptions (three) and forced fumbles (one). Injuries plagued his most current campaign, as he played only 474 snaps in 12 games. He finished 2014 with 43 tackles and three interceptions, and Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked him 45th among 87 safety candidates.

Panthers Re-Sign Ed Dickson

March 12th, 2015 at 9:04am CST by Luke Adams

THURSDAY, 9:04am: Dickson’s three-year deal with the Panthers, which is worth $6.8MM, is now official, tweets Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.

TUESDAY, 2:22pm: Dickson will earn between $6MM and $7MM over the life of the deal, per David Newton of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

2:00pm: It’s a three-year deal for Dickson, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter). In that case, the veteran tight end should be in line for more than the minimum salary.

1:57pm: The Panthers have reached an agreement with Ed Dickson that will keep the tight end off the open market and will bring him back to Carolina, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).

Dickson, 27, joined the Panthers last offseason, and was used sparingly in the team’s passing game, receiving a career-low 17 targets for just 10 overall receptions. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) also graded him as a below-average pass blocker and run blocker, but the Panthers apparently liked his play well enough to retain him for another year.

Financial terms of the agreement aren’t yet known, but Dickson is coming off a minimum-salary contract, so it seems very likely he’ll get another minimum deal this time around.

The Browns had been expected to show some interest in Dickson.

Vince Wilfork Considering Four Teams

March 12th, 2015 at 8:50am CST by Luke Adams

THURSDAY, 8:50am: Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Twitter link) hears that Wilfork has three offers of two years, $10MM on the table from AFC teams.

WEDNESDAY, 12:19pm: Vince Wilfork was one of three notable Patriots who became free agents yesterday when the team decided not to exercise their options. Darrelle Revis has already landed with the Jets, and Brandon Browner is off to visit the Saints, but Wilfork is expected to take his time to make a decision, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).

According to Rapoport, Wilfork is considering four potential destinations. One of those possible destinations is Houston — we heard yesterday that the Texans were trying to sign the veteran defensive tackle, and the team continues to maintain interest in landing him. Another suitor in the mix is Wilfork’s old team, the Patriots. The statement Wilfork released when he announced the Pats wouldn’t be picking up his option seemed to close the door on New England, but apparently the two sides could still end up working toward a reunion.

Wilfork, 33, has spent all 11 years of his NFL career with the Patriots, playing 158 regular season games for the club, and starting 148 of those. An anchor in the middle of the defensive line in New England for the last decade, Wilfork looked like he may be leaving the team a year ago, before the two sides worked out a new deal to keep him around for the club’s Super Bowl 2014 season.

In his statement last week, Wilfork said he has “lots of gas still left in the tank,” so he should eventually land with a team, whether it’s the Pats, the Texans, or one of his other two unknown suitors.