HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Wade Smith Announces Retirement

April 13th, 2015 at 11:29am CST by Luke Adams

Longtime NFL offensive lineman Wade Smith announced today that he has decided to end his playing career. Smith, who last spent time with the Eagles in 2014, wrote that he “wouldn’t change a thing” about his 12 years in the NFL (Instagram link).

“I’m moving on to my next stage in life, with a smile on my face, knowing that I gave everything I had to the game, and to the guys in the huddle that counted one me,” Smith wrote. “The NFL is a brotherhood that is second to none and I’m honored to be able to say that I am part of the family.”

A third-round pick by the Dolphins in 2003, Smith played just 22 games in Miami before moving on to spend time with the Jets, Chiefs, Texans, and Eagles over the course of the next decade. The veteran lineman, who turns 34 later this month, had his best run as Houston’s starting left guard from 2010 to 2013, playing all 64 regular season contests for the Texans during that stretch and earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2012.

For his career, Smith – who wasn’t currently under contract with an NFL team – played in 143 games, starting 98 of them.

Packers Match Offer For Sean Richardson

April 13th, 2015 at 11:07am CST by Luke Adams

The Packers have matched the Raiders’ offer sheet for safety and special-teamer Sean Richardson, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). The move, which comes in advance of this afternoon’s deadline, ensures that Richardson will remain in Green Bay for the coming season.

By matching the Raiders’ offer, the Packers are now on the hook for the same deal Oakland would have paid Richardson. The Raiders’ offer sheet was reportedly for one year and $2.55MM — that total includes a $1MM base salary, a $1.35MM signing bonus, and a $200K reporting bonus.

Richardson, 25, has yet to play a major role on defense for the Packers since joining the team in 2012, logging a career-high 135 defensive snaps in 2014. However, he has been a special teams ace for the club, recording 12 tackles in kick and punt coverage last season. With Morgan Burnett, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, and Micah Hyde still in the mix in Green Bay, it’s not clear whether there will be room for Richardson to take on a larger role in 2015, but the fact that the club is willing to pay him $2.55MM suggests it’s possible.

As for Oakland, the team still has Nate Allen and Charles Woodson at the safety position, but the Raiders’ offer to Richardson indicated they viewed him as a potential starter. The club may have to return to the free agent market in search of another safety, or earmark that position as one to address in the draft.

FA Notes: Bell, Titans, Bowman, Dolphins

April 13th, 2015 at 10:27am CST by Luke Adams

Let’s check in on the latest updates on a pair of unrestricted free agents searching for jobs, as well as a pair of restricted free agents who will soon find out where they’ll be playing next season….

  • Offensive tackle Byron Bell, who recently worked out for the Chiefs, is now receiving consideration from another AFC team, reports Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. According to Wyatt, Bell is visiting the Titans today. The Titans saw longtime tackle Michael Roos retire this offseason, and release Michael Oher, so the club is in the market for a tackle to complement Taylor Lewan, and brought in Joe Barksdale for a visit last week. If Tennessee were to sign Bell, the team would essentially be swapping tackles with the Panthers, with Bell’s old team having signed Oher.
  • Free agent cornerback Zackary Bowman is visiting the Dolphins today, according to Chris Perkins of the South Florida Sun Sentinel (via Twitter). Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets that there’s a “pretty good chance” Bowman ends up signing with Miami. I didn’t mention Bowman when I examined the notable defensive free agents still on the market over the weekend, but the former Giant did play 458 defensive snaps last season, starting five games for New York.
  • Safety Sean Richardson was in Green Bay for a visit and a physical on Sunday, per Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Twitter link), who notes that could be a sign that the Packers will match the Raiders‘ offer sheet for the restricted free agent. Green Bay’s decision is due today.
  • The Lions‘ decision on whether or not to match the Buccaneers‘ offer sheet for RFA defensive end George Johnson is also due today. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press points out (via Twitter), that Johnson has already signed eight contracts with Tampa Bay, having frequently been shuttled on and off the team’s roster and practice squad earlier in his playing career.

Greg Jennings Visiting Jaguars

April 13th, 2015 at 9:13am CST by Luke Adams

Three weeks ago, at the NFL owners’ meetings, Jaguars general manager David Caldwell confirmed that his team had some interest in wide receiver Greg Jennings, but cautioned that no visit had been scheduled. Now, it appears that visit will finally happen. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Jennings is scheduled to pay a visit to Jacksonville to meet with the Jags today.

Jennings, 31, caught just 59 balls for 742 yards during the 2014 season, prompting the Vikings to cut him just two years into a massive five-year contract. The two-time Pro Bowler never seemed to fully fit in Minnesota, so a fresh start could help. However, he’s unlikely to return to the highs of his earlier years in Green Bay. From 2008 to 2010, Jennings averaged about 75 receptions, 1,220 yards, and eight touchdowns per year with the Packers.

The Jaguars have a nice young core at wide receiver, even if former fifth overall pick Justin Blackmon never plays another game for the team — and even after losing Cecil Shorts in free agency. Marqise Lee, Allen Robinson, and Allen Hurns currently sit atop the team’s depth chart, so the club could use a veteran to complement that young group. Of course, the biggest name among the Jags’ pass-catchers is Julius Thomas, who inked a lucrative five-year contract with the team earlier in free agency.

Prior to visiting the Jaguars, Jennings paid a visit to Miami to meet with the Dolphins. The veteran wideout has also been linked to the Panthers.

King’s Latest: Gordon, Cards, Gregory, WRs

April 13th, 2015 at 8:56am CST by Luke Adams

Peter King of The MMQB.com leads off his Monday Morning Quarterback column this week by discussing Troy Polamalu‘s legacy, Hall-of-Fame-worthy safeties, and new referee Sarah Thomas, before he dives headfirst into the latest news and rumors on the draft. That section of King’s piece includes plenty of noteworthy tidbits, so let’s round up some of the highlights….

  • Melvin Gordon won’t get past the Ravens at No. 26, according to King. It would be a little surprising to see Baltimore nab a running back in the first round, with plenty of other holes on the roster, including a big one at wide receiver.
  • The Cardinals will “very seriously” consider a running back with the 24th overall pick.
  • Although Randy Gregory‘s failed drug test initially scared off some teams near the top of the draft, many of those clubs are feeling more comfortable with the Nebraska pass rusher after taking a closer look at him.
  • USC wideout Nelson Agholor, initially viewed as a late second-round pick, is moving up on draft boards, since teams think he can play inside or outside with equal effectiveness. Chip Kelly and the Eagles are known to like Agholor.
  • Multiple teams have Louisville receiver DeVante Parker as a top-10 player on their boards, says King.
  • According to King, UCF wideout Breshad Perriman is receiving serious consideration from at least two teams picking in the teens. Nearly all the teams with picks in that range – including the Saints, Dolphins, 49ers, and Browns – could use a wideout. In our first mock draft of the year, we had Perriman going to the Chiefs with the 18th overall pick.
  • The Rams and Chargers are both working out Marcus Mariota this week, and while King doesn’t expect St. Louis to trade up to land the Oregon quarterback, he isn’t 100% sure about San Diego. As King writes, the Chargers may simply be doing their due diligence in case Mariota slides down the first round, since it still seems “highly unlikely” that the team would trade Philip Rivers.

Cowboys Notes: Dez, Claiborne, Peterson

April 12th, 2015 at 11:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Dallas Morning News’ mailbags touched on some Cowboys news on Sunday night. Here are some of the highlights …

  • Tim Cowlishaw does not envision a Dez Bryant extension being completed this offseason, even with the nearly $13MM the Cowboys freed up in cap space from Tony Romo‘s restructuring. The Cowboys reportedly intend to use it on the draft. Bryant has a $12.8MM cap figure this season and could be re-franchised next offseason if the sides can’t come to a agreement on a long-term contract.
  • The Cowboys don’t have plans of picking up Morris Claiborne‘s fifth-year option, reports staff writer Brandon George, giving 2015 a make-or-break aura for the injury-plagued cornerback. The former first-rounder out of LSU who missed most of last year with a torn patellar tendon, hasn’t graded positively on Pro Football Focus’ metrics in three seasons. Claiborne, who hasn’t started more than seven games in a season since his rookie year of 2012, will make just more than $5MM this season — sixth on the team.
  • Brandon Carr could be a post-June 1 cut if he doesn’t take a pay reduction, reports George. The Cowboys won’t offer the high-priced corner an extension to lower his $12.7MM cap number (third-most on the team), either. George, however, doesn’t think Carr will have a hard-line stance on this matter.
  • The Adrian Peterson-to-Dallas connection remains a discussed topic. Jon Machota doesn’t see a trade occurring after the draft, narrowing the Cowboys’ window to land the player they’ve long coveted. The second round is the ideal place for the Cowboys to land DeMarco Murray‘s long-term successor, opines Machota.

AFC Notes: Nicks, Holliman, Trevathan

April 12th, 2015 at 10:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

Veteran receivers will likely remain on the Dolphins‘ radar until at least the draft and probably after, considering the team lost two veteran wideouts this spring.

Miami is targeting a veteran to supplement what is now the youngest wide receiver corps in the league, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Michael Crabtree, Wes Welker and Greg Jennings remain in play for the Dolphins. An earlier report circulated that Crabtree and the Dolphins discussed specifics on contract parameters, while a subsequent account disputed numbers were brought up between the parties on Crabtree’s Miami sojourn.

Hakeem Nicks would welcome interest, according to Jackson, but has lined up other visits as the Fins are apparently looking at the aforementioned trio first. Of the four veterans mentioned here, Jennings was the only one to avoid a negative review from Pro Football Focus, grading as the 48th-best receiver last season (subscription required).

In other news from Miami and other AFC squads …

  • Former rugby standout Paul Lasike has warranted multiple calls of interest from the Dolphins, reports Jackson. The BYU running back averaged 4.6 yards per carry last year.
  • Louisville safety Gerod Holliman visited Miami recently, doing so after teammate Charles Gaines went to the Fins’ facilities, reports Jackson.
  • Since they hired a new coach, the Broncos will begin their offseason program Monday — a week earlier than last year. Among the notable news from Denver Post reporter Mike Klis’ preview are Sylvester Williams‘ strong offseason and Danny Trevathan being in leaner shape at 242 pounds. Trevathan, Denver’s leading tackler in 2013 before missing most of ’14 with knee maladies, played at a slightly lighter weight as a 4-3 outside linebacker. He’ll work inside in the 3-4. Williams did not fare well last season but is expected to start at nose in Wade Phillips‘ defense after Terrance Knighton departed.
  • Breshad Perriman would make a good second-round pick for the Ravens, but not in the first, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller notes on Twitter. Earlier today, PFR took a look at a now-depleted Ravens’ receiving corps.

Packers’ Decision On Sean Richardson Due

April 12th, 2015 at 9:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Sean Richardson will learn where he’ll play this season on Monday, with the Packers’ decision on whether or not to match the one-year, $2.55MM offer sheet he received from the Raiders last week due.

The fourth-year player operated as the Packers’ fourth safety last season, but his value comes from his special teams contributions. Richardson led the Packers with 361 special teams snaps and 13 special teams tackles last year, and Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel makes a case for why the Packers will keep him around next season.

Green Bay, which assigned Richardson a low-end tenure as a restricted free agent last month, played Richardson on just 121 defensive snaps last season and return top three safeties Morgan Burnett, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Micah Hyde. Should the Packers match, Richardson as of now would become their 13th-highest-paid player, with a 2015 salary exceeding Hyde and Clinton-Dix. Richardson would also be one of the richest special teams performers in the league, topping Pro Bowlers Matt Slater, Justin Bethel and Darrell Stuckey, according to Silverstein.

Silverstein reminds this situation is similar to a 2008 scenario where Packers GM Ted Thompson matched a Titans offer for Jarrett Bush, a fellow special-teamer whose Packers career went on to last nine seasons after he re-signed again with the team in 2012. There remains a chance Bush, who will be 31 when the season starts, could return to Green Bay. But he’s an unrestricted free agent coming off surgery at an advanced age for exclusive kick- and punt-coverage players.

Since Richardson, 25, came into the league undrafted out of Vanderbilt, the Packers wouldn’t receive any compensation should they not match the Raiders’ offer. Despite lucrative extensions for Randall Cobb and Bryan Bulaga, the Packers can easily afford to keep Richardson, with $17.7MM worth of cap space. They would save $1.5MM by not matching Richardson’s offer.

The Raiders have $20.7MM of room and would likely present a better chance at defensive playing time, with recently signed Nate Allen and 38-year-old Charles Woodson slotting as Oakland starting safeties and scant depth behind them.

NFC Mailbags: Hawthorne, Collins, Bridgewater

April 12th, 2015 at 8:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are some notes from some of the most recent NFC mailbags coming out of New Orleans and Minneapolis.

  • The Raiders pried Curtis Lofton, the Saints‘ best second-level player in recent seasons, away from New Orleans. As a result, the Saints are planning to use veteran David Hawthorne in his place in the middle and as the defensive signal-caller, ESPN’s Mike Triplett said in the second part of his Saints mailbag. Entering his age-30 season, Hawthorne started weakside backer in the Saints’ 4-3 last year and while he’s a mid-tier performer at best at this point in his career, Hawthorne is incredibly versatile. He’s played four different positions the past four seasons, lining up as the Seahawks’ starting middle linebacker in 2011, before backing up on the strong side in New Orleans in ’12, then moving to an inside spot in a 3-4 look a year later before moving back outside last season.
  • While expecting Hawthorne to start regardless of who the Saints draft, Triplett notes the team hasn’t used a first- or second-round pick on a linebacker since Sean Payton arrived in 2006. While they’ve acquired Jonathan Vilma, Lofton and most recently Dannell Ellerbe and Anthony Spencer through trades or free agency, Triplett lists inside backer as possibly the Saints’ No. 1 need. He doesn’t expect the Saints to use their No. 13 pick on such a player but sees that as a key option at Nos. 31 or 44, possibly both, with Shaq Thompson (Washington), Eric Kendricks (UCLA) and Stephone Anthony (Clemson) among the options in that case.
  • Landon Collins may be too much of a run-stopping safety to mesh well in the Vikings‘ defense, writes ESPN’s Ben Goessling in his mailbag. Since upper-echelon safety Harrison Smith ventures around the formation with blitzing tendencies, Goessling notes the Vikings probably need a player who can cover ground deep.
  • Vikings quarterbacks coach Scott Turner recently traveled to Montana to observe ways to incorporate more quick passes into the Vikings’ offense. A Division II coach for many years, Bob Stitt‘s now at Montana, and Turner was intrigued by the way his offenses can find myriad methods of putting the ball in receivers’ hands via screen passes. With Teddy Bridgewater already having success in the screen game with Jarius Wright and, at times Cordarrelle Patterson, he now has speedster Mike Wallace, which would make acquiring additional intel in this area relevant, Goessling said.

Eagles Links: Bradford, Kelly, Draft

April 12th, 2015 at 7:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Eagles’ quarterback-exchange trade that brought Sam Bradford to Philadelphia surprised former Eagles quarterback and ESPN film guru Ron Jaworski. Despite having ranked Bradford as his No. 1 player before the 2010 draft, Jaworski does not see him as a good fit for Chip Kelly‘s offense, as relayed to Philly Sports Talk.

Jaworski does not view the injury-prone former No. 1 overall pick as the Eagles’ long-term solution and doesn’t think Kelly covets Bradford’s skill set as much as he’s said, with the former Oregon boss seeking a more mobile quarterback for his offense.

“Those people that think Sam Bradford‘s coming in as a mobile quarterback, he’s more immobile than Nick Foles,” Jaworski said during his television interview. “Just in the back on my mind, I still believe Chip Kelly wants a quarterback with mobility to lead his football team.”

A trade up to be in position to draft former Kelly protege Marcus Mariota would cost the Eagles at least multiple first-round picks, but Jaworski would make that move to finish off Philadelphia’s seismic offseason. He described the Oregon spread wunderkind as a “perfect fit” for the Eagles’ attack.

  • The longtime ESPN analyst lauded Kelly, however, for his initial offseason with full personnel control. But Jaworski also noted these moves will cause a significant backlash if the third-year coach is wrong. “[Kelly] can say all he wants about good to great,” Jaworski said. “But you gotta make the right decisions to go from good to great or you can go from good to bad just as quick as you can go from good to great.”
  • Last year, the Eagles traded down four spots to help the Browns select Johnny Manziel. Moving up has been more connected to the thinking in Philadelphia, which took Marcus Smith at No. 26 and snared an additional third-round pick in 2014, this spring. But CSNPhilly.com’s Geoff Mosher thinks trading down again is a good idea, with this talent pool arguably evening out by the time the Eagles’ No. 20 selection arrives. The players that drew the most interest from the team during the scouting process — Eric Rowe, Byron Jones, Nelson Agholor and Brett Hundley — are likely to be available in between the Eagles’ No. 20 and 52 selections, writes Mosher. “The history of the game, study all the trades. What set the Cowboys [of the 1990s] going forward? They traded one player for multiple players,” Kelly said recently. “I’ve got a better chance of hitting if [I] have more draft picks than if you have less draft picks. That’s basically it, philosophically.”
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