The Bears have added some veteran depth in their secondary, signing cornerback Tracy Porter to a one-year contract, the team announced today (via Twitter). Porter became a free agent last month after being released by Washington.
Porter, 28, was a full-time starter at cornerback for the Raiders in 2013, and signed a two-year, $6MM deal in free agency last year with Washington, but saw his role reduced significantly in 2014. Before he landed on the injured reserve list in November, ending his season, Porter only played 89 snaps for Washington, finding himself buried on the depth chart behind Bashaud Breeland, E.J. Biggers, David Amerson, and others for a good chunk of 2014.
While ’14 wasn’t a good year for Porter, he has accumulated plenty of experience since entering the NFL as a second-round pick in 2008, spending time with the Saints and Broncos before heading to Oakland and Washington. For his career, he has appeared in 68 regular season contests (60 starts), totaling 287 tackles, 10 interceptions, and 54 passes defended.
Porter, who was in New Orleans back when new Bears GM Ryan Pace was in the Saints’ front office, will join a group of cornerbacks in Chicago that includes Kyle Fuller, Tim Jennings, Demontre Hurst, and fellow free agent signee Alan Ball, among others.
Less than a month after signing a contract to return to New England, linebacker Brandon Spikes will find himself back on the open market. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Patriots are releasing Spikes. The team has since confirmed the transaction.
The move comes immediately on the heels of a weekend report about a potential run-in with the law for Spikes. A car registered to the veteran linebacker was found abandoned on I-495 in Foxborough, Mass., early Sunday morning, according to FOX 25. An OnStar representative told Massachusetts State Police that the driver reported hitting a deer, but no deer was found in the vicinity and the car had front-end damage.
A short time later, police responded to a hit-and-run report nearby. The occupants, who said they were rear-ended by a car they didn’t see, were treated for minor injuries at an area hospital. While it’s not clear yet if Spikes was driving the abandoned vehicle, or if he’ll face any sort of charges, Massachusetts law indicates that fleeing a hit-and-run scene in which human injuries occurred carries up to two years in jail, tweets Sports Illustrated’s Michael McCann.
Releasing Spikes won’t cost the Patriots much, as his one-year contract included only $25K in guaranteed money, in the form of a signing bonus. The team may revisit the free agent market in an effort to find some additional veteran depth at the linebacker position, but Spikes wasn’t expected to have a huge role for the team in 2015.
As for the linebacker himself, now that he has been officially released, he’s immediately free to sign elsewhere. Considering teams weren’t exactly in a rush to add him earlier in the offseason though, I expect clubs will wait for more clarity on Spikes’ legal situation before considering pursuing him.
The bulk of free agency is behind us, but many of 2015’s biggest contracts could still be on the way. There are a number of players who have one or two years left on their contracts whose teams will want to lock them up before they’re eligible for free agency, and many of them will sign extensions over the next few weeks and months. New deals for players like Ryan Tannehill, Cam Newton, and Cameron Jordan, have already helped kick off 2015’s prime contract extension period.
At Pro Football Rumors, we’ll look to cast a spotlight on several of the players who could re-up with their teams in the coming months, writing pieces that focus on many of the more notable extension candidates out there. These players won’t necessarily ink new deals before the regular season gets underway, or even before they hit free agency, but their clubs will probably want to at least discuss the idea, and we’ll examine what sort of contracts they might be in line for.
Our Extension Candidate series is already underway, and we’ll be adding many more installments to it in the near future. You can find this index at any time on the right-hand sidebar under “PFR Features” to follow the latest. Here’s the list so far:
Just weeks after signing a one-year deal with the Patriots, linebacker Brandon Spikes may soon find himself in legal trouble.
A car registered to Spikes was found abandoned on I-495 in Foxborough, Mass., early Sunday morning, according to FOX 25. An OnStar representative told Massachusetts State Police that the driver reported hitting a deer, but no deer was found in the vicinity and the car had front-end damage. Shortly after, police responded to a hit-and-run report nearby. The occupants, who said they were rear-ended by a car they didn’t see, were treated for minor injuries at an area hospital.
Per Massachusetts law, fleeing a hit-and-run scene in which human injuries occurred carries up to two years in jail, tweeted Sports Illustrated’s Michael McCann.
When asked for comment, Patriots spokesman Stacey James said, “We are aware of the report and are looking into the matter, but I don’t have any additional comment at this time.”
Whether this will lead to serious ramifications for Spikes remains to be seen, but it’s an inauspicious start to his second stint with the Pats. The 27-year-old left the team in an acrimonious manner last offseason after four seasons and subsequently signed with AFC East rival Buffalo. Upon returning to New England, Spikes said of head coach Bill Belichick,“I just want to show him I’ve changed as an individual, as a player, as a man. I’m going to just show him; better than just saying it, I’m going to show him.”
Here’s more from around the NFL:
The Eagles are looking for a cornerback to start opposite the newly acquired Byron Maxwell, and they have a strong contender in five-year veteran Nolan Carroll, writes Jeff McLane of Philly.com. Carroll has fared well during spring workouts and drawn praise from head coach Chip Kelly and defensive backs coach Cory Undilin. “He’s not satisfied with where he was yesterday,” said Undilin. “So every time he comes into the building his mind-set is telling him, ‘Listen, I’m going to find a away to get better than I was yesterday.’ I believe he’s done that every single day he’s been here.” Carroll, whom Philly signed as a free agent last year, appeared in 16 games in 2014 and made 31 tackles. He has five career interceptions, including three in 2013.
Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant spent the first six games of 2014, his rookie season, on the inactive list and then impressed when finally given a chance, averaging over 21 yards per catch and racking up eight touchdowns in 10 games. The 23-year-old spent the offseason working hard in hopes of making an impact immediately in his second year, he told the Associated Press. “I am more prepared,” the former fourth-round pick said. “I have more confidence. I just trained and did karate and ran routes the whole offseason to get better. I worked on the whole route tree that we run so people can see that I can do more than just catch the deep ball.”
The Ramswaived sixth-round receiver Bud Sasser earlier this week because of a heart condition that, in the team’s opinion, will prevent Sasser from playing. Sasser went unclaimed on waivers and is now on the Rams’ non-football illness list for 2015. Teams don’t have to pay players who are on the NFI list, and the Rams will take advantage of that, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Sasser will, however, keep the $113k signing bonus the Rams gave him when they signed him. There is no word on whether the team will relinquish Sasser’s rights, which would give him the opportunity to catch on with another club. Sasser would want that, it seems, given that he believes he’s physically well enough to play.
Though Cameron Jordan‘s five-year, $55MM extension with the Saints compares favorably with Calais Campbell‘s long-term deal with the Cardinals, Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap doesn’t believe that Jordan’s new contract will redefine the market for 3-4 defensive ends as did Campbell’s. While the two deals look especially similar at the back end, Fitzgerald writes that Campbell was handed more guaranteed money up front, and doesn’t have to worry about the type of per-game roster bonuses that are included in Jordan’s deal. Ultimately, 3-4 ends will still use Campbell’s deal as a starting point in negotiations, not Jordan’s, adds Fitzgerald.
Here’s more from the NFC:
If the Panthers defense continues to produce at its current level, DC Sean McDermott could warrant consideration as a head-coaching candidate in the near future, writes David Newton of ESPN.com. After finishing last in DVOA in 2011 — McDermott’s first year on the job — Carolina has placed in the top 15 in the three years since, including a No. 3 finish in 2013.
The Cowboys didn’t select a running back in April’s draft, but team executive Stephen Jones believes the club could find a back as the season progresses, naming the Patriots acquisition of LeGarrette Blount last year as an example, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com. Archer expects Dallas’ pro scouts to scour the trade and waiver market during the preseason in the hopes of adding another runner.
Tackle Morgan Moses — once thought of as a potential first-round pick — ultimately slid until the third round of last year’s draft before being picked by Washington. And though the club selected Brandon Scherff with the fifth overall pick, John Keim of ESPN.com still sees a role for Moses, adding that the Virginia product could become a solid swing tackle at the very least.
Following up on Ian Rapoport of NFL.com‘s Friday report that West Georgia defensive tackle Dalvon Stuckey was planning to apply for the 2015 supplemental draft, Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post confirms the news, writing that Stuckey will in fact enter the supplemental draft, which will be held in July.
Stuckey, a four-star recruit out of high school, has previously committed to playing for a bevy of schools, with Miami, Auburn, Florida State, and most recently, Arizona State among them. In the latter case, at least, his plans to play were interrupted to due to academic concerns. Highly sought after out of Pearl River Community College in 2014, Stuckey ultimately joined West Georgia, and went on to post 40 tackles (9.5 for loss) and four sacks.
As a refresher, the supplemental draft allows clubs to select players who for some reason were unable to enter the standard draft; academic trouble is often a key factor, but disciplinary issues can also lead a NCAA player to declare for the supplemental draft. If a team selects a player in the supplementary draft, it will lose its corresponding pick in the following year’s standard draft. For example, if a club selects Stuckey in the sixth round of the supplemental, it will lose its 2016 sixth-rounder as a result. The last player to be chosen in the supplemental draft was Browns receiver Josh Gordon, whom Cleveland took in the second round.
Stuckey’s teammate at West Georgia — defensive end Darrius Caldwell — and North Carolina Central receiver Adrian Wilkins have also declared for the supplemental draft.
The original content produced by the PFR staff during the past week:
Luke Adams examined how Cam Newton‘s five-year, $103MM extension will affect negotiations between both Andrew Luck and the Colts and Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. Given the latter two’s production, Luke writes that neither should have a problem topping Newton’s AAV, and could easily surpass Aaron Rodgers‘ $22MM per year.
Luke looked at the top 2015 cap hits among offensive players, noting that one player — tight end Jimmy Graham — appears on a list twice, as he’ll account for $9MM of dead money on the Saints’ cap, while counting for another $8MM on the Seahawks’ books.
I delved into the extension cases for the Ravens’ starting guards, Marshal Yanda and Kelechi Osemele, noting that while Yanda is probably more of a sure thing given his track record, Osemele could push for the larger contract due to his youth and the fact that he plays on the left side.
With the date in question passing last week, Luke provided an updated explanation of post-June 1 cuts.
Luke wondered whether Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas (slapped with the franchise tag) will ultimately sign a long-term deal with Denver. Nearly two-thirds (64.36%) of voters believe Thomas will not reach an extension with the club.
Let’s have a look at some links from around the league on this Sunday afternoon:
After Will Beatty‘s torn pectoral muscle threw the Giants‘ offensive line into a state of confusion, Jordan Raanan of NJ.com has received a number of questions from Giants fans curious about the status of free agent tackle Jake Long. Raanan writes that even though Long tore his ACL two years in a row, there will be a starting job for him somewhere this season if he is healthy. The Giants are still in the mix, but Long appears content to let the market for his services play out.
The Patriots have lost a number of big names this offseason, but Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com says tight end is one area where the team may have gotten stronger. Newly-acquired Scott Chandler will team with Rob Gronkowski to create a formidable pair of towers at the position, and Reiss predicts New England will deploy a number of two-tight end sets in 2015, just as they did in 2011 with Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.
Cameron Jordan recently signed a new five-year, $55MM deal with the Saints, and despite the similarities between Jordan and Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson, Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com believes Wilkerson will be aiming even higher. Jordan got $33.5MM in total guarantees, and Cimini thinks Wilkerson is seeking at least $40MM in guaranteed money.
Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com writes that Washington defensive coordinator Joe Barry does not plan on moving any of his cornerbacks to safety in an effort to bolster the team’s long-floundering safety corps.
Zach Miller has not played a regular season game since 2011, thanks to a bevy of injuries that have derailed his career. But for the second straight season, Miller is performing well in the Bears‘ offseason workouts, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. And if Miller can remain healthy, he could become a valuable weapon for Jay Cutler and take some pressure off Alshon Jeffery, rookie Kevin White, and first-string tight end Martellus Bennett.
When asked if his client had requested a trade, the agent for new Browns and former 49ers punter Andy Lee did not answer directly, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter). The agent simply said it was an amicable parting that worked well for all involved.
Despite recent comments that created a minor controversy in Seattle, Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin said yesterday, “I would love to be in Seattle. That was the team that gave me a chance when nobody else did.” But as Manouk Akopyan of NFL.com writes, given the pending extensions that the Seahawks will undoubtedly hand out to Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson, and considering the amount of money Seattle has already invested in retaining players like Marshawn Lynch and Richard Sherman, Irvin will likely find greener pastures elsewhere.
The Jaguars plan to frequently utilize two- and three-tight end looks this season under new offensive coordinator Greg Olson, writes Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. That scheme will offer plenty of playing time for Marcedes Lewis and Clay Harbor, who now find themselves behind Julius Thomas on the team’s depth chart.
In the same piece, O’Halloran writes that even though Tyler Shatley earned a place on the Jaguars‘ roster as an undrafted rookie guard last season, his task will be even more difficult this year. The team has shifted him over to center, which Shatley has never played, and Jacksonville appears committed to Stefen Wisniewski or Luke Bowanko at the position.
Between the three of them, they have accumulated 330 sacks over the course of 15 years. At different points in their careers, they were among the most-feared pass rushers in the league. But now, Dwight Freeney, 35, John Abraham, 37, and Osi Umenyiora, 33, are nearing the end of the line, and if they get another contract, it will probably be their last.
That is not to say that they have nothing left to offer. In his excellent profile of Freeney two months ago, PFR’s Dallas Robinson explained how the long-time Colt was able to effectively disrupt the passing game in 2014, his only full season with the Chargers. As Robinson wrote, Freeney did not post gaudy sack totals in San Diego, but he placed third among qualifying 3-4 OLBs with 40 quarterback hurries, and 14th with nine QB hits. Furthermore, Freeney has experience both with his hand in the ground and standing up, so he would not be limited to any one scheme.
Abraham, meanwhile, lost his 2014 season due to concussion-related issues, and doctors told him last September that he should sit out for at least a year. Our Luke Adams wrote at that time that Abraham was most likely headed towards retirement, but he did post 11.5 sacks for the Cardinals in 2013–earning his fifth Pro Bowl nod in the process–and he is consistently mentioned as an option for teams that may find themselves in need of a situational pass rusher as we get closer to the start of the regular season. So until Abraham officially calls it a career, we will continue to hear his name bandied about.
Umenyiora, the youngest of the group, recorded a mere 2.5 sacks in 16 games for the Falcons last year, and has not put up double-digit sacks since 2010. However, he did get 26 quarterback hurries and 6 quarterback hits in just 347 snaps, so it is clear he can still be effective in a situational role. Despite his limited playing time, he did rate as the 22nd-best 4-3 defensive end out of 59 eligible players, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required).
All of the above players, assuming they do not retire, are in line for a one-year deal with limited value. They will be called upon if a team suffers an injury to one of its pass rushers in training camp, or if a younger edge rusher fails to live up to expectations. And as they have shown, they can provide a boost to a club’s pass rushing game if deployed appropriately. They may not be the players they once were, but they may have enough left in the tank to help a contender get over the hump in 2015.
So what say you? Which of the three players above is most likely to suit up for an NFL team this season?