2015 March - Pro Football Rumors

Nick Fairley Visiting Rams

March 12th, 2015 at 8:42am CST by Luke Adams

One of the league’s best defensive lines could add even more talent in free agency. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), free agent defensive tackle Nick Fairley is on his way to visit the Rams in St. Louis today.

Fairley had his 2014 season derailed by injuries, but he was very effective when healthy, and is drawing plenty of interest this week. The 27-year-old paid a visit to the Bengals already this week, and a report yesterday indicated that about a half-dozen teams were interested before free agency even began on Tuesday.That same Wednesday report also revealed that Fairley isn’t currently considering re-signing with the Lions, who lost Ndamukong Suh this week, but added Haloti Ngata.

As for the Rams, defensive line certainly isn’t an area of need for a team that has Robert Quinn, Aaron Donald, and Chris Long on its roster, but the team did cut Kendall Langford earlier in the offseason and could be looking to add another interior piece. Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch first reported yesterday that the Rams had reached out to Fairley.

When I ranked this year’s top 50 free agents last weekend, I placed Fairley 18th, which makes him one of the top unsigned players on our board.

AFC South Notes: Orakpo, Colts, Jackson

March 12th, 2015 at 7:49am CST by Luke Adams

As we wait for Thursday’s free agent action to ramp up, let’s check in on some items from around the AFC South….

After visiting the Titans yesterday, Brian Orakpo remains in Tennessee and has yet to officially set up a time to visit the Cardinals, reports Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter links). A visit to Arizona is the plan for Orakpo if and when he leaves the Titans meeting, but as he said yesterday, “anything can happen.”
The Colts have signed Kendall Langford and Trent Cole and brought back Mike Adams in free agency, but after adding veteran running back Frank Gore, wide receiver Andre Johnson, and guard Todd Herremans on offense, the team figures to focus primarily on its defense in next month’s draft, tweets Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star. One exception, Holder notes (via Twitter), will be drafting a young running back, if the right guy is available.
Kareem Jackson‘s new deal with the Texans includes $16MM in fully guaranteed money, but practically speaking, the full guarantee is $20MM, since the cornerback gets a $4MM roster bonus today, tweets Albert Breer of the NFL Network.
According to Peter King of TheMMQB.com (via Twitter), a source close to Marcus Mariota advised King not to minimize the Titans‘ interest in the quarterback, suggesting they’re “very serious.” Whether that reported interested is legit or a smokescreen remains to be seen.

East Notes: Jets, Bills, Harvin, Fasano

March 12th, 2015 at 7:13am CST by Zachary Links

Now that he has returned to the Jets, cornerback Darrelle Revis is working hard to convince Antonio Cromartie to come back to the Meadowlands, Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com writes.

“I’m going to get in contact with him very soon and try to convince him to come back and join our Batman and Robin tandem that we had a couple of years ago,” Revis said.

The two cornerbacks played together in New York from 2010 to 2012. There might not be much work for Revis to do, as Cromartie and the Jets are said to be pretty close to a deal.

Here are a few more Thursday morning notes from around the NFL’s two East divisions:

The Bills‘ visit with Percy Harvin is scheduled to continue today, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com, who tweets that the wideout is returning to the team’s facility this morning. Buffalo is said to be pushing to sign Harvin to a one-year deal.
After cutting Scott Chandler on Wednesday, the Bills are interested in former Chiefs tight end Anthony Fasano, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets. Fasano could visit with Buffalo if he doesn’t sign with the Titans during his visit there. Fasano, 30, was released by KC in late February.
Running back Shane Vereen made it clear last night that he’s not having second thoughts about leaving the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots for the Giants, as Doug Kyed of NESN writes. “This is a great organization. I was fortunate enough to play in New England with another great organization, and this is no slouch,” Vereen said. “This is not a step down. If anything, it’s a step up. I’m looking forward to the opportunity, and I’m enjoying being in New York.”

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Extra Points: Brooks, Johnson, Spiller

March 11th, 2015 at 10:22pm CST by Ben Levine

There have been whispers that 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks could be a cap casualty, but general manager Trent Baalke made it clear that the player would be back next season.

“There has never been an indication from me otherwise,” Baalke told Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. “While all that was being written, I just sat back and looked at it because it was speculation based on our cap number and the cash flow that we had leading into free agency. A lot of assumptions were made, but wrongly.”

More notes as we wrap up this Wednesday evening…

The Buccaneers met with Stefen Wisniewski earlier today, but Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune tweets that the center left Tampa without a deal. In another tweet, Cummings says the team never intended to sign Wisniewski today.
In the meantime, Wisniewski will meet with the Seahawks, reports Fox Sports’ Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). Seattle would be in the market for a center after dealing Max Unger yesterday.
We heard previously that the Saints were in the mix for free agent running back C.J. Spiller. That interest is real, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that the former Bills weapon will meet with the organization in New Orleans on Thursday.
Despite the reported interest in the defensive end, Michael Johnson‘s camp won’t start talking to teams until Thursday, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (on Twitter).
Yahoo’s Rand Getlin reports (via Twitter) the former 49ers defensive back Perrish Cox will meet with the Titans on Friday. The Browns and Washington have previously shown interest.
Offensive guard Shelley Smith will visit with the Seahawks on Thursday and the Broncos on Friday, according to Mike Klis of The Denver Post. Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com says (via Twitter) the Falcons are also interested, but haven’t set up an interview.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Murray Decision Not Expected Tonight, Will Visit Eagles Thursday

March 11th, 2015 at 10:02pm CST by Ben Levine

Following a day full of rumors, it sounds like there will be no resolution on the DeMarco Murray front. According to ProFootballTalk (on Twitter), the running back will not finalize a deal tonight. PFT notes that Murray will likely “take a visit” to his potential landing spots, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirms (on Twitter) that Murray will meet with Eagles officials on Thursday.

Based on today’s news, it sounds like four teams are in the running for Murray’s services: the Cowboys, Eagles, Raiders and Jaguars. In fact, Philly wasn’t even involved with the bidding until Murray and coach Chip Kelly spoke on the phone this afternoon. There were also whispers that the running back’s college roommate, recently-acquired quarterback Sam Bradford, was trying to recruit Murray to Philadelphia.

Besides the Eagles, it sounds like the running back is seriously considering the Cowboy offers. The team reportedly made him an offer of $5MM annually, and it was noted that Dallas had an advantage over Philadelphia. At least one team involved in the bidding was under the impression that Murray would return to Dallas.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that the Raiders are willing to offer the most money, and those same reports indicate that the Jaguars offer was too low for Murray’s liking.

Bears Sign Antrel Rolle

March 11th, 2015 at 9:51pm CST by Ben Levine

Another safety is off the market, as Antrel Rolle will be joining the Bears, according to ProFootballTalk (on Twitter). The deal will be for three years and $11.25MM, with $5MM guaranteed.

The 32-year-old finished the 2014 season with 87 tackles and three interceptions. Pro Football Focus wasn’t impressed with the veteran’s performance, as they ranked him 81st among 87 safety candidates. However, Rolle isn’t far removed from a dynamic 2013 campaign, when he established career-highs in tackles (98), interceptions (six) and passes defended (12).

We learned earlier today that the Bears had the highest offer on the table, with the Colts and Giants lurking. Rolle ranked 46th in Luke Adams’ list of the top-50 free agents.

Giants Sign Marshall Newhouse

March 11th, 2015 at 9:44pm CST by Ben Levine

WEDNESDAY, 9:44pm: The Giants announced that Newhouse’s signing is official, Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News tweets.

TUESDAY, 4:55pm: The two-year deal will be worth $3.25MM, according to Caplan (via Twitter).

4:06pm: Following inconsistent 2014 performances from much of their offensive line, the Giants will reportedly be adding some reinforcement. ESPN’s Adam Caplan reports (via Twitter) that the G-Man have signed offensive tackle Marshall Newhouse to a two-year deal.

The former fifth-rounder spent the first four seasons of his career with the Packers, and he joined the Bengals on a one-year deal prior to the 2014 season. The 26-year-old made 15 appearances and five starts for Cincinnati, compiling 373 snaps. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) wasn’t overly impressed with his performance last season, as they ranked him 61st among 84 offensive tackle candidates. However, three contributing members of the Giants offensive line – Weston Richburg, John Jerry and J.D. Walton – finished with lower ratings.

Giants Sign Dwayne Harris

March 11th, 2015 at 9:41pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

WEDNESDAY, 9:41pm: The Giants announced that Harris’ signing is official, Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News tweets.

TUESDAY, 3:46pm: The Giants have signed former Cowboys receiver and kick returner Dwayne Harris, according to Charles Davis of Fox Sports. Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports! reports that Harris’ deal is for five years at $3.5MM per season. It includes $7.1MM in guarantees.

Dallas chose Harris in the sixth round of the 2011 draft and he ultimately appeared in 45 games for the club, all since 2012. The 27-year-old caught 33 passes during his time with the Cowboys and finished ninth in the NFL in both kick and punt return yardage in 2014. He was second in the league in both kick return yardage and yards per return in 2013.

Giants Sign Jonathan Casillas

March 11th, 2015 at 9:36pm CST by Dallas Robinson

WEDNESDAY, 9:36pm: The Giants announced that Casillas’ signing is official, Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News tweets.

TUESDAY, 3:22pm: The Giants have agreed to sign linebacker Jonathan Casillas, tweets Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. Per Graziano, it’s a three-year deal worth $10.5MM.

Casillas, a 27-year-old journeyman, had spent time with Saints and Buccaneers before being traded to the Patriots last year. In New England, he started three games, but was mostly a special teams contributor. In New York, he’ll join Jon Beason, who recently restructured his contract, at linebacker.

Giants Sign Shane Vereen

March 11th, 2015 at 9:34pm CST by Zachary Links

WEDNESDAY, 9:34pm: The Giants announced that Vereen’s signing is official, Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News tweets.

TUESDAY, 1:41pm: Vereen’s deal is actually expected to for three years instead of four, tweets Vacchiano, noting that the annual rate should still be $4MM. Sources say it will feature $5MM in guarantees.

12:54pm: It’ll be a four-year deal that could be worth more than $16MM, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (on Twitter).

12:35pm: Vereen to the Giants is a “done deal,” tweets Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports. Of course, it can’t officially be “done” for about two and a half more hours, so we shouldn’t lock it in quite yet, but it looks like the running back will end up in New York.

11:53am: Shane Vereen is expected to sign with the Giants, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Finding a versatile running back was near the top of the wish list for the Giants this offseason and Vereen would certainly fit the bill. Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter) hears that the unrestricted free agent will still give the Pats an opportunity to match or best the Giants’ offer.

Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reported on Monday that the Giants were “very serious” about adding Vereen. Vereen was said to be seeking $3.5MM annually, but it’s not yet known how much Big Blue has offered him. At last check, the Pats were not willing to approach that $3.5MM/year price tag. The Jets were among the teams with interest in Vereen, but they’re presumably out of the mix after re-signing Bilal Powell.

Vereen, 26, ran for 391 yards off of 96 carries in 2014, good for an average of 4.1 yards per attempt. He was also heavily involved in the Pats’ passing game for the second year in a row, recording 52 catches for 447 yards. Pro Football Focus (sub. req’d) placed him as the 28th best tailback out of 57 qualified players last season with a slightly below average grade of -1.0.