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Month: January 2025

Adrian Wilson Retires As Cardinal

April 20th, 2015 at 3:13pm CST by Rob DiRe

MONDAY, 3:13pm: Wilson has signed a one-day contract with the Cardinals to retire as a member of the team, tweets Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. Per Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (via Twitter), Wilson will be part of Arizona’s staff, as a coach and personnel man.

SUNDAY, 6:56pm: The Cardinals have announced that they will hold a special press conference tomorrow at 1:00pm local time, writes Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com (via Twitter). In attendance at the conference will be team president Michael Bidwill, general manager Steve Keim, and former safety Adrian Wilson.

The purpose of the press conference has not been announced, but it is expected that Wilson will announce his retirement from the NFL, writes Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).

Wilson is a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro selection, all as a member of the Cardinals. The third-round pick out of North Carolina State spent 11 years with the team after being drafted in 2001.

After a sharp decline in performance during the 2012 season, the team allowed Wilson to leave in free agency. He joined the Patriots, but injured his Achilles tendon prior to the beginning of the regular season, placing him on injured reserve. During the 2014 offseason, Wilson signed with the Bears, although he never played in a regular season game with the team.

As an impressive career comes to a close, coaching might be in Wilson’s future plans. Rapoport mentions that the press conference tomorrow could serve the dual purpose of announcing Wilson’s as well as introducing him as part of the team’s coaching staff.

Eagles Sign Tim Tebow

April 20th, 2015 at 2:51pm CST by Rob DiRe

MONDAY, 2:51pm: The Eagles have officially signed Tebow to a one-year deal, the team announced today (Twitter link).

SUNDAY, 5:41pm: The Eagles begin their offseason program tomorrow, and are bringing ex-Broncos, Jets, and Patriots quarterback Tim Tebow in as a fourth signal-caller, reports Jay Glazer of Fox Sports 1 (via Twitter). Glazer adds while the opportunity to come in this low on the depth chart is not ideal for Tebow, it could be his best chance of making an NFL roster (via Twitter).

Adam Schefter of ESPN confirmed that the team had reached an agreement with Tebow. Schefter writes that the Eagles tried to trade third-string quarterback Matt Barkley to make room on the roster, but were unable to bring enough back in return for the former Trojan. Instead, they decided to bring Tebow in for the offseason program to compete for a spot on the roster.

The signing represents a reunion for Tebow and current (presumed) backup Mark Sanchez. There shouldn’t be much of a quarterback controversy this time around, as Sanchez is being paid like a player that expects to see the field. The team also brought in Sam Bradford from the Rams, who should be given every opportunity to win the starting job. G.J. Kinne is also listed on the roster as a quarterback, but he’s more of an all-purpose threat.

Tebow figures to be competing with Barkley for a spot on the roster, assuming there is a realistic chance he stays with the Eagles come September. The team is expected to finalize the one-year contract tomorrow morning, according to Schefter.

GM: Bills More Likely To Trade Down Than Up

April 20th, 2015 at 2:29pm CST by Luke Adams

Having sent their 2015 first-round pick to the Browns a year ago to move up to land Sammy Watkins, the Bills are one of two teams that aren’t expected to make a pick next Thursday on day one of the draft. While trading up into the first round from No. 50 is a possibility for Buffalo, general manager Doug Whaley suggested today that it’s not a likely outcome, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com details.

“We’re going to set up our board where we’ll put a demarcation line where if we see guys fall — and we think we have a chance to go up and get, we would consider it,” Whaley said. “But I’ll tell you right now, with the lack of ammunition, I would highly, highly doubt that we [trade up]. We’d be more prone to listen to offers to move back from 50 and pick up more picks, but again, I will never say never.”

Having added Watkins a year ago, and landing pricey playmakers like LeSean McCoy, Charles Clay, and Percy Harvin this offseason, the Bills are likely to focus on adding depth at several positions rather than focusing on a big name at one position, as Whaley explains: “With what we did in free agency, we feel very comfortable with the pieces of the puzzle we have in place and we’re at that point now where we may start getting top heavy so we’re going to need the draft picks to start replenishing the roster.”

Speaking of free agents, the Bills aren’t necessarily done shopping, but they’re in no hurry to secure players like Dawan Landry and Brad Smith, despite eyeing the former Jets. Per Whaley, Buffalo plans to “slow play it,” and will pull the trigger on a deal with a free agent if it’s mutually beneficial for the two sides (Twitter link via Rodak). The team may be inclined to wait until after May 12, when free agents no longer count against the compensatory pick formula for 2016.

Draft Visits: Jets, Jags, Steelers, Lions

April 20th, 2015 at 1:20pm CST by Luke Adams

Draft day is only a week and a half away, but teams are still bringing in prospects for visits and working them out, as they try to compile as much information as possible on this year’s draft class. Here are a few Monday updates on the latest visits and workouts:

  • Leonard Williams, DL (USC); Dante Fowler Jr., DE/OLB (Florida): Making their previously-reported visits to the Jets this week, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
  • Denzel Perryman, LB (Miami): Visiting the Jaguars today, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.
  • Darryl Roberts, CB (Marshall); Bryce Callahan, CB (Rice); Steven Nelson, CB (Oregon State): All visiting the Steelers today, according to Wilson (Twitter link).
  • Jamison Crowder, WR (Duke): Has had private workouts with Panthers, Buccaneers, and Texans, per Wilson.
  • Carl Davis, DT (Iowa): Visiting the Lions today, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter).
  • David Johnson, RB (Northern Iowa): Visiting the Falcons today, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
  • Marcus Hardison, DL (Arizona State): Visiting the Bengals today and generating a lot of interest around the league, per Gil Brandt of NFL.com (Twitter link).
  • Bud Sasser, WR (Missouri): Visiting the Broncos today, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post.

North Notes: Peterson, Ihedigbo, Gipson

April 20th, 2015 at 12:17pm CST by Luke Adams

Of all the players who didn’t report to their respective teams’ initial offseason workouts today, perhaps the least surprising name on the list is Adrian Peterson. After being reinstated last week, Peterson is said to be seeking a trade, a new contract, or both. Ben Goessling of ESPN.com confirms (via Twitter) that, as expected, the star running back didn’t attend the first day of the Vikings‘ voluntary spring workouts.

While we wait to see who blinks first in the standoff between Peterson and his longtime team, let’s check in on a few more items from around the NFL’s two North divisions, including updates on a couple other players who didn’t report today….

  • Every Lions player except for safety James Ihedigbo was in attendance for the first day of the club’s voluntary training program, tweets Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. Ihedigbo’s absence doesn’t come as a shock, since we heard a couple weeks ago that he was looking for a new contract from the Lions.
  • Browns safety Tashaun Gipson is another player that didn’t report to his team’s voluntary program today, as Mary Kay Cabot of the Northeast Ohio Media Group details. Gipson’s situation is a little different — he received a second-round RFA tender from Cleveland last month, and wasn’t overly thrilled about that. He can still negotiate with other teams that might be interested in signing him to an offer sheet, but he’s running out of time, and any potential suitor would have to part with a second-round pick to land him.
  • A.J. Green tells Coley Harvey of ESPN.com (all Twitter links) that his reps and the Bengals talked at the combine about a possible contract extension. However, he’s in no hurry to get something done, and its content to play out his fifth-year option year if necessary. Harvey adds that Marvin Jones, George Iloka, and others whose contracts expire after 2015 also seem fine with playing out the season on those deals.

Pauline’s Latest: Mariota, Browns, Rams

April 20th, 2015 at 11:26am CST by Luke Adams

With just 10 days left until the 2015 NFL draft gets underway, Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net has plenty of updates for us this morning, including news on visits, workouts, and possible risers and fallers. Here’s Pauline’s latest:

  • According to Pauline, trade rumors involving teams looking to move up for Marcus Mariota should “pick up intensity” in the next week or so. Pauline hears the Browns may be the frontrunners for the Oregon quarterback, but the Titans asked Cleveland for a second-round pick in addition to the 12th and 19th picks, and the Browns balked. Cleveland may be willing to part with its two first-rounders to move up to No. 2, but wouldn’t want to give up its second-rounder too.
  • The Rams love Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney, but No. 10 would be too high for him. Per Pauline, many around the league believe that St. Louis could trade down in the first round or trade up from the second round in order to try to land McKinney.
  • McKinney has also been linked to the Broncos, who are eyeing TCU linebacker Paul Dawson as well.
  • A number of teams have red-flagged Boise State running back Jay Ajayi over a knee injury, according to Pauline.
  • The domestic violence charges against Frank Clark were reduced – the Michigan defensive end accepted a plea deal – and now Pauline says Clark will likely be drafted higher than most expect, likely within the top 125 picks.
  • A pair of Utah offensive linemen, Junior Salt and Jeremiah Poutasi, are working out today for the Panthers, per Pauline (via Twitter).
  • The Patriots worked out UConn defensive lineman B.J. McBryde last week, tweets Pauline.
  • The Jaguars hosted Monmouth wide receiver/tight end Neal Sterling for a pre-draft visit last week, according to Pauline (via Twitter).

East Notes: Dez, JPP, Giants, Mathis, Jets

April 20th, 2015 at 8:59am CST by Luke Adams

Most teams around the NFL begin their voluntary offseason programs today, and a handful of players in the NFC East won’t be in attendance at their respective teams’ workouts. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), the Cowboys will be without franchise player Dez Bryant and underpaid cornerback Orlando Scandrick, and Jordan Raanan of NJ.com reports that another franchise player, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, will be absent for the Giants.

Meanwhile, Eagles guard Evan Mathis, who attended the team’s voluntary workouts last spring amid trade rumors, won’t do the same this year, per Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, who tweets that Mathis is staying away for now. Asked about his absence, the veteran offensive lineman jokingly replied, “I’m in Antarctica looking for frozen dinosaurs to extract their DNA and splice them with my chihuahuasaur” (Twitter link via McLane).

While we wish Mathis the best of luck on his Antarctic expedition, let’s round up a few more items from out of the NFL’s two East divisions:

  • The Jets likely won’t select Breshad Perriman with the sixth overall pick, when one or both of Kevin White and Amari Cooper could still be on the board, but New York is doing its homework anyway, hosting the UCF wideout for a visit today, a league source tells Pro Football Talk (Twitter link).
  • There’s a good chance that the Giants will re-sign safety Stevie Brown soon, writes Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. According to Schwartz, Brown would like to return to New York, but wanted to see if he could do better than the one-year deal the Giants offered him. However, it doesn’t appear that any other potential suitors are willing to do a longer-term contract.
  • As the Giants continue to consider options at safety, Raanan tweets that Virginia defensive back Anthony Harris – who is capable of playing the free safety position – visited the team this weekend.
  • Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post has details on another Giants pre-draft meeting, reporting that Purdue running back Akeem Hunt is visiting the club today.

Jaguars, Marcedes Lewis Rework Contract

April 20th, 2015 at 8:22am CST by Ben Levine

MONDAY, 8:22am: According to Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (all Twitter links), Lewis agreed to reduce his salary for 2015 from $6.8MM to $2.65MM, which consists of a $2MM base salary ($500K guaranteed), a $250K signing bonus, and $400K in per-game roster bonuses.

Lewis can earn a maximum of $3MM of that lost salary back through not-likely-to-be-earned playing time incentives, and his cap number is now $3.85MM, creating $4.4MM in extra room for the Jags.

SATURDAY, 12:55pm: After the Jaguars spent big money to secure Julius Thomas, there was speculation that tight end Marcedes Lewis could be let go. It appears the veteran is staying put, as Ryan O’Halloran of Jacksonville.com reports that the two sides have restructured the final year of Lewis’ contract. The 30-year-old is finishing up a five-year, $35MM contract signed in 2011.

Lewis’ cap hit for this upcoming season was at $8.2MM, and the team would have been left with $1.4MM in dead money if they chose to cut him prior to June 1st. O’Halloran suggests that the restructuring could make Lewis a more attractive trade asset, but his source indicated that the tight end would remain in Jacksonville through the 2015 season.

Lewis has struggled greatly since receiving that big contract in 2011. He rated as the 10th best tight end in the NFL in 2011, and fifth in 2012, before falling off a cliff and coming in at 30th and 48th the past two seasons, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Much of that fall in rankings is due to the decline in his ability as a run blocker, where he was among the best in the league for his career before grading out negatively in 2013 and 2014.

Of course, the reason he got that contract in the first place wasn’t for his excellent blocking skills. In 2010, in addition to being one of the best blocking tight ends in the league he caught double digit touchdowns to establish himself as a force at the position. He caught 10 touchdowns over the next four seasons combined. He will now be joined with incoming talent Thomas, in hopes together they can provide Blake Bortles huge weapons in the middle of the field.

Extra Points: Peterson, Johnson, Jaguars

April 19th, 2015 at 10:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Vikings‘ reported asking price of a second-round pick and the inclusion of an additional late-rounder for Adrian Peterson may not be all the team covets here. A first-round pick and a staring-caliber cornerback appears to be the Vikings’ latest demand in order to part with their disgruntled franchise performer, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.

Signed to the highest-paying contract for any running back and now 30, Peterson’s lack of leverage beyond a serious holdout, which won’t reach an elevated threat level until minicamp-related fines ensue in mid-June, allows his current team to play hardball here.

Let’s look at some of the week’s final news here …

  • Minnesota could look to supplement its backfield as early as the third round in this year’s draft, writes Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Vensel expects Peterson and the Vikings to eventually find common ground. Despite the roster housing elusive ex-quarterback Jerick McKinnon and touchdown-producer Matt Asiata, another back would shuttle in and vie for the No. 2 job in that scenario.
  • The most notable veteran running back remaining in free agency, Chris Johnson is training for a potential audition with a team with a bullet still inside his body, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
  • Miami wide receiver Phillip Dorsett will pay a visit to the Eagles‘ facilities Monday, reports Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Listed as a Day 2 pick in our Rob DiRe’s analysis of this class’ wide receivers, Dorsett ran two sub-4.3-second 40-yard dash times at the Hurricanes’ pro day recently and visited the Titans previously.
  • Also from Wilson: the Browns will meet with West Georgia defensive lineman Tory Slater this week. The former high school wideout-turned-Division II defensive lineman already met with the Falcons, 49ers and Seahawks.
  • Blake Bortles‘ window at establishing himself will include the next two seasons, writes the Florida Times-Union’s Hays Carlyon. The Jaguars‘ No. 3 overall pick in 2014 will halt the team from using the same selection on a quarterback — or drafting one altogether — this year. But the Jags’ coaching staff is watching and discussing the top quarterbacks in the draft should either Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota fall past the top two slots and an antsy team eyes a trade into Jacksonville’s slot.
  • OverTheCap’s Zack Moore sees the market for wide receivers becoming more reasonable despite stars like Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas and A.J. Green set for new deals soon. In a lengthy piece, the salary cap website writer examines how this year’s contracts for Randall Cobb and Jeremy Maclin were more team-friendly than recent deals for Larry Fitzgerald, Mike Wallace and Vincent Jackson, and that teams can be more firm in their stances due to a growing influx of cheaper talent ready to contribute in each draft class.
  • Philly.com’s Bob Brookover writes Tim Tebow‘s persistence has little chance to catapult him back onto a 53-man roster come September.

West Links: Rams, Raiders, Harbaugh

April 19th, 2015 at 9:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Prior to the Jaguars adding Stefen Wisniewski on Saturday, the Rams researched the former Raiders center and maintained interest in him as an option to become their starting center, reports Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Now, the Rams could opt to look in-house for their next snapper.

Unrestricted free agent Scott Wells regressed badly last season in 16 games for the Rams, rating as the worst center in the league, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Entering his third season, Barrett Jones will likely receive the first shot at succeeding Wells after arriving in St. Louis as a fourth-round pick in 2013, per Thomas. But he’s actually less-experienced than in-house competitor Tim Barnes, who started four games for an injured Wells in ’13. The tandem combined for just 32 snaps last season.

Thomas also notes the team’s brought in nine offensive linemen for visits, including Florida State’s Cameron Erving, with holes to fill at center, guard and right tackle.

Here are some more items from the Western divisions.

  • Despite being staunch in his position that there was no rift between former 49ers head coach and the players, Alex Boone admitted that Jim Harbaugh wore out his welcome in San Francisco, according to the staff at CSNBayArea.com. “I think he just pushed guys too far. He wanted too much, demanded too much, expected too much. You know, ‘We gotta go out and do this. We gotta go out and do this. We gotta go out and do this.’ And you’d be like, ‘This guy might be clinically insane. He’s crazy,’” Boone said. “I think that if you’re stuck in your ways enough, eventually people are just going to say, ‘Listen, we just can’t work with this.’”
  • The Seahawks have their starting quarterback position settled, with Russell Wilson ingrained as the starter for the foreseeable future, but the rest of the depth chart is still up in the air. Currently, B.J. Daniels and R.J. Archer remain on the roster, but Tarvaris Jackson could very well return as the team’s primary backup, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. He picks Wilson-Jackson-Daniels as his most likely trio for the final roster.
  • The issue of whether Oakland and Alameda can come up with a solution on keeping the Raiders long-term could generate some clarity in the next two weeks, report San Francisco Chronicle reporters Phil Matier and Andy Ross. The NFL is reportedly pressing for answers on this matter, which is coming down to how a new Bay Area stadium will be financed. NFL representatives met with city officials in Oakland and the Raiders on Wednesday while also taking summits with team executives and Carson officials a day later, according to the report. Both the Raiders and Oakland city and county officials have expressed they cannot afford to pay for a stadium costing around $1 billion on their own.
  • Expected to claim the Broncos‘ No. 3 wide receiver job behind Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders this season, Cody Latimer admits he fell behind in his quest to learn how to play in a Peyton Manning-paced offense last season, reports Troy Renck of the Denver Post. “I was in the playbook, but I could have done even more. When I actually got it, it was too late. It was just way different (than college),” Latimer told Renck. “I would know the play, then Peyton would change it.”Rob DiRe contributed to this report
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