HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Jaguars GM On Jennings, Blackmon, Draft

April 24th, 2015 at 5:45pm CST by Zachary Links

Jaguars GM David Caldwell isn’t opposed to trading a draft pick for a veteran player. “Depends on the player,” he told Ryan O’Halloran (on Twitter) and the rest of the Jaguars’ beat writers. But how about Vikings running back Adrian Peterson?

“He’s on the Vikings,” the GM said flatly.

Caldwell declined to really comment on AD, but he had plenty more to tell the group of local reporters. Here’s a look at the highlights of his presser..

  • The GM said he never made an offer to wide receiver Greg Jennings before he signed with the Dolphins, O’Halloran tweets. The Jags were among the teams interested in the veteran, along with the Panthers and Saints. The 31-year-old ultimately got a two-year, $8MM deal from Miami.
  • Caldwell says he’s not disappointed that the team hasn’t heard anything regarding wide receiver Justin Blackmon‘s status, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com tweets. For now, the Jaguars will be going forward as planned without him.
  • The Jaguars have narrowed their choice at to three-to-five players if they stay put at No. 3, O’Halloran tweets. So far, he says he has yet to receive a call on the pick (link).
  • Caldwell said about 200 players are on the Jaguars’ board, O’Halloran tweets.
  • Caldwell emphasized the need for a difference-maker rather than two solid players, John Oehser of Jaguars.com tweets.

NFC East Notes: Giants, Hardy, Bradford, Polk

April 24th, 2015 at 5:01pm CST by Luke Adams

The Giants‘ top three most-played safeties from 2014 – Antrel Rolle, Quintin Demps, and Stevie Brown – are no longer under contract with the team, and the club missed out on Devin McCourty in free agency. However, GM Jerry Reese doesn’t view the position as an area of need, as Conor Orr of NFL.com details. While Reese may not consider safety to be as important a position as some other spots on the field, it would still be a surprise if the Giants don’t grab one or two at some point in the draft.

Here’s more from around the NFC East:

  • There are some “smart people” around the NFL who believe Greg Hardy‘s suspension will ultimately be reduced from 10 games to something in the neighborhood of two to six games, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Even if Hardy’s appeal isn’t successful, the NFLPA may file a lawsuit on behalf of the Cowboys defensive end, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
  • Hardy’s stint in Dallas is off to an ominous start, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports, who reports that the defensive end was involved in an altercation with Cowboys teammate Davon Coleman today. A source tells Garafolo that Hardy questioned Colemans’s effort during conditioning drills, and a verbal altercation nearly turned into a physical one. Meanwhile, Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter links) hears that Coleman incited Hardy by calling him a “woman beater.” According to Getlin, there’s some concern among the Cowboys that Hardy is already at odds with another member of the club’s defensive line.
  • Heading into the final year of his rookie deal, Sam Bradford isn’t willing to settle for a “substandard” contract extension, says Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Instead, the former first overall pick is hoping to submit a strong 2015 campaign and reassess his market value at that point. There’s also not 100% certainty that the Eagles will hang on to Bradford through the draft, so the QB wants to make sure he knows where he’ll be playing before he locks himself into a long-term extension.
  • Earlier this afternoon, the Eagles rescinded Chris Polk‘s RFA contract tender, making him an unrestricted free agent. According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Philadelphia was open to re-signing the running back at a lower salary, but the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement.

Buccaneers Re-Sign Bobby Rainey

April 24th, 2015 at 4:33pm CST by Luke Adams

It’s the last day for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets with rival suitors, and barring some unexpected late drama, it looks like most of those players will simply return to their current teams. The latest RFA to sign his tender from his club is running back Bobby Rainey, according to a press release from the Buccaneers.

Rainey, 27, assumed the role of lead running back in Tampa Bay for several games during the 2013 season, accumulating a total of 566 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on the season for the Browns and Buccaneers. He received fewer carries for the Bucs in 2014, but improved his yards per carry average (from 3.8 to 4.3), and increased his receptions from 15 to 33. Rainey received an original-round tender from Tampa Bay, so he’ll earn a $1.542MM salary for 2015.

With Rainey now under contract for the coming season, seven restricted free agents remain unsigned. Here are the players who have yet to ink their respective RFA tenders:

Eagles Rescind RFA Tender For Chris Polk

April 24th, 2015 at 4:13pm CST by Luke Adams

After a March shopping spree that included two major running back signings, the Eagles appear to have decided they no longer require a back to whom they tendered an offer earlier in the offseason. According to Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com (via Twitter), the Eagles have rescinded their RFA tender for Chris Polk.

Polk, 25, took on a slightly larger role in Philadelphia’s offense last season behind LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles, totaling 172 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 46 carries. After agreeing to a trade that sent McCoy to the Bills, the Eagles – presumably expecting Polk to play an even more significant part on the offense in 2015 – assigned him a $1.542MM RFA tender.

Later in March, however, the Eagles landed DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews to go along with Sproles, creating a back log on the running back depth chart. If the team hadn’t rescinded Polk’s RFA offer, he would have had to sign an offer sheet with another club by today. Philadelphia’s decision to withdraw the offer allows Polk to hit the unrestricted FA market without potential suitors having to worry that the Eagles might match their offers.

Jets Re-Sign Jaiquawn Jarrett

April 24th, 2015 at 4:02pm CST by Luke Adams

Safety Jaiquawn Jarrett has signed his restricted free agent tender and will return to the Jets for the 2015 season, the team announced today in a press release. New York had tendered Jarrett at his original-round level, meaning he’ll receive a salary of $1.542MM if he plays out the full season with the club.

Jarrett, 25, had played 29 regular season games in his NFL career prior to the 2014 season, but he saw his most significant playing time on defense last season, setting career highs in virtually every category. In 14 games (five starts), the former second-round pick tallied 41 tackles, two interceptions, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery.

While restricted free agents who receive original-round tenders typically have more freedom to sign with other teams, that’s because many of them were undrafted free agents, meaning teams wouldn’t have to surrender a draft pick to sign them. In Jarrett’s case though, it would’ve cost a rival suitor a third-round pick to sign him, given his original draft spot.

The Jets’ other RFA, Damon Harrison, hasn’t officially signed his second-round tender, but is expected to do so soon.

Chiefs Pick Up Dontari Poe’s 2016 Option

April 24th, 2015 at 3:38pm CST by Luke Adams

Defensive tackle Dontari Poe has become the latest 2012 first-round draftee to have his fifth-year option picked up, according to Albert Breer of the NFL Network. Breer reports (via Twitter) that the Chiefs have exercised their 2016 option on Poe.

Because he was selected 11th overall, Poe’s salary for the 2016 season isn’t subject to the rules for 2012’s top 10 picks, making the option more affordable for the Chiefs. Assuming he remains under contract with Kansas City and doesn’t rework his contract, the Memphis product will earn a base salary of $6.146MM in 2016 — that figure, currently guaranteed for injury only, will become fully guaranteed on the first day of the ’16 league year.

Having started all but one game for the Chiefs since entering the league three years ago, Poe has been one of the team’s best defensive players, earning spots in the last two Pro Bowls. In 2014, he recorded 46 tackles to go along with six sacks, and according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), no player appeared in more snaps at defensive tackle than Poe’s 966. In fact, only two other DTs – Ndamukong Suh (875) and Jared Odrick (817) – played more than 800 snaps.

To keep tabs on all the decisions on fifth-year options for 2012 first-rounders, be sure to check out our tracker. Teams have until May 3 to decide one way or the other on those option years.

Extra Points: Draft, Falcons, Chiefs, Joseph

April 24th, 2015 at 3:10pm CST by Luke Adams

The 2015 NFL draft is now just six days away, and trade talks figure to heat up very soon. According to Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com (via Twitter), Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie said today that he’s fielded calls about the No. 4 overall pick, and Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff has taken calls about moving up or down from No. 8, writes D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Additionally, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star tweets that Chiefs GM John Dorsey has called around and told teams that his club is open to trade discussions.

As we wait to see whether any of those teams make some moves before or during the draft, here are a few more items from around the league, including additional notes on the Falcons and Chiefs:

  • Among the other updates from today’s Falcons presser: Dimitroff dimissed the idea that Atlanta is pursuing Adrian Peterson (per Ledbetter), and head coach Dan Quinn said the club plans to address the linebacker spot in the draft, despite having signed free agents (Twitter link via ESPN’s Vaughn McClure).
  • The Chiefs have been in contact with Justin Houston‘s representatives, having spoken to the linebacker’s camp within the last three days, Dorsey said today (link via Paylor). Houston, who was franchised by Kansas City, has yet to sign his one-year tender, and there’s a chance the two sides could work out a long-term deal this spring.
  • Players and agents aren’t thrilled that general managers have publicly voiced doubts about whether certain 2016 fifth-year options will be exercised, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Whatever the intention of those comments is, players tend to regard them as an expression of uncertainty about their abilities, and a signal that the team may not want to keep them around for the long term.
  • Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com takes an in-depth look at the Browns‘ decision to draft Johnny Manziel over Teddy Bridgewater a year ago, writing that a league source with knowledge of the Vikings‘ draft plans said Minnesota had determined a few days before the draft that Cleveland was leaning toward Manziel rather than Bridgewater.
  • Free agent guard Davin Joseph told SiriusXM NFL Radio (on Twitter) that he’d love to join a contender and try to get a championship ring. Joseph, 30, spent the first eight seasons of his NFL career with the Buccaneers, starting 99 of the 100 games he played for the team, before signing with the Rams last spring.
  • Idaho center Mike Marboe had a private workout today for the Seahawks, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link).

Draft Rumors: Clemmings, Mariota, Gregory

April 24th, 2015 at 1:55pm CST by Luke Adams

Pittsburgh offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings is the latest prospect to discover an injury during a team visit. A source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) that Clemmings was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his foot, despite not feeling any pain. It remains to be seen how the injury will affect the draft position of Clemmings, who is viewed as one of the best offensive lineman in the draft.

More on next week’s draft:

  • Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report spoke to five NFL personnel men, and all five believe that Marcus Mariota will be drafted by the Titans, either at No. 2 or at No. 5 (following a trade with Washington). Some of those execs points to the Jets as another strong contender for Mariota, but they don’t believe New York will move up, a belief supported by GM Mike Maccagnan‘s comments today.
  • Of course, even if the Titans select Mariota, it doesn’t necessarily rule out the possibility of Tennessee trading him to another team. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com takes a look at how a Mariota trade could potentially happen after the draft.
  • Randy Gregory may take a fall in the first round, but one exec tells Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link) that Gregory won’t fall out of the first round. Personally, I’d be surprised if the Nebraska pass rusher is still on the board after the first 15 picks of the draft.
  • One football executive tells Bob McGinn of the Journal-Sentinel that he sees a lot of former Raiders bust JaMarcus Russell in presumptive No. 1 pick Jameis Winston. “Lack of focus by JaMarcus is what I see in Winston,” the personnel man said. “They’re physically talented, but during the course of a game they kind of lose their focus and just put the ball up for grabs. I see the body. I see the lack of focus. I see the same coach and system. Only Winston’s not as good an athlete and his arm isn’t as strong as JaMarcus‘.”
  • In addition to his previously-reported visits, Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper also paid visits to the Buccaneers, Bears, Falcons, Giants, and Washington, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.
  • Wilson also provided an update on Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith, writing that the Cowboys, Saints, and Panthers were among the teams to meet with intriguing deep threat.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Jets GM Talks Draft, Wilkerson, RFAs

April 24th, 2015 at 12:50pm CST by Luke Adams

Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan will be running his first draft this year after arriving in New York from Houston this offseason, and it’ll be an important one for the franchise, which holds the sixth overall pick next Thursday. Speaking to reporters today, Maccagnan addressed a number of topics related to the upcoming draft and the Jets’ general plans. Here are a few highlights, with all links going to the Twitter accounts of beat writers Rich Cimini (ESPN.com) and Manish Mehta (New York Daily News):

  • Maccagnan would prefer to add more picks, which increases the team’s chances of finding good players, rather than to give up picks to move up for someone. The Jets will still reach out to every team picking ahead of them to gauge the market value of those selections, but don’t necessarily expect to trade up.
  • Asked about Muhammad Wilkerson‘s absence from the club’s offseason program, Maccagnan downplayed the defensive lineman’s absence, noting that the workouts were voluntary and adding, “I’m sure Mo is doing a good job wherever he’s working out.” For now, the club is too focused on the draft to deal with Wilkerson’s contract situation, but the GM says that will happen “at some point in time going forward.”
  • The Jets expect restricted free agents Damon Harrison and Jaiquawn Jarrett to sign their tenders. Today is the last day RFAs can sign offer sheets with rival teams, and neither player appears poised to do so.
  • Maccagnan and the Jets “absolutely” feel comfortable with the amount of homework they’ve done on Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, whom they saw during a visit, a private workout, and his pro day.
  • Maccagnan, point to the Steelers as an example, said he’d like to create a “pipeline” of 3-4 outside linebackers, since those players take some time to develop.
  • The Jets evaluated just under 1,400 prospects, and ended up with just under 300 on their draft board, per Maccagnan.
  • According to Maccagnan, his philosophy involves using free agency to fill needs (such as cornerback), and using the draft to select the best players available.

Lions To Exercise Reiff’s 2016 Option

April 24th, 2015 at 11:13am CST by Luke Adams

Exactly a month after general manager Martin Mayhew suggested the Lions had yet to make a decision on the fifth-year option for offensive tackle Riley Reiff, the GM said today that the team will pick up that 2016 option, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter).

As I noted in March when Mayhew initially expressed some uncertainty about Reiff’s option, it would’ve been a huge surprise if the club had declined the option, considering how well the young lineman has played at left tackle over the last couple seasons. In 2014, Reiff’s Pro Football Focus grade (subscription required) placed him in a tie for 23rd out of 84 qualified offensive tackles.

By exercising Reiff’s fifth-year option, the Lions will extend the 26-year-old’s rookie contract by one year, keeping him locked up through the 2016 season. If the two sides don’t work out a longer-term agreement that adjusts his ’16 cap number, Reiff will be in line for a salary of $8.07MM for that season.

In addition to confirming that his team would pick up Reiff’s option, Mayhew made a number of other notable comments during his conversation with the media this morning. Here are the highlights, via Birkett, Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com, and Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com:

  • Mayhew indicated that he has “empathy” for safety James Ihedigbo, who wants a new deal and didn’t report for the Lions’ voluntary offseason program. The GM is looking forward to discussing Ihedigbo’s contract situation “whenever I see him,” which suggests the team may want the safety to report before any negotiations take place (Twitter link).
  • The Lions spoke to Rob Sims‘ agent three weeks ago and made a contract offer, but haven’t heard back from the offensive lineman’s camp since then (Twitter link).
  • According to Mayhew, Detroit has yet to discuss a potential contract extension with Haloti Ngata, but there’s interest on both sides in getting something done eventually (Twitter link). While the GM expressed optimism about getting a veteran defensive tackle locked up, he also praised the depth at the position in this year’s draft, noting that the class is “especially” deep on the defensive line (Twitter link).
  • Although the Lions have had some dialogue about a new contract for linebacker DeAndre Levy, nothing is imminent on that front (Twitter link).
  • The Lions cut offensive lineman Rodney Austin after domestic violence allegations, but Mayhew said the team hasn’t closed the door on bringing him back if and when his legal issues are resolved (Twitter link).
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