2015 July - Pro Football Rumors

NFC East Notes: JPP, Giants, Gallette

July 30th, 2015 at 6:46pm CST by Zachary Links

When asked whether he had any idea when Jason Pierre-Paul might report to training camp, Giants co-owner John Mara said that he has no clue, as Jordan Raanan of the Star-Ledger writes.

“I don’t know how many fingers he has,” Mara said. “We know what we’ve read and what we’ve been told, but until we actually see him and the extent of the damage, it’s hard to make any sort of prediction as to what kind of condition he’s in.”

As the Giants wait to learn more information about their star defensive end, let’s take a look at more from the NFC East..

When asked about a new deal with quarterback Eli Manning, the Giants owner once again expressed optimism, but also said that it will take some time as Manning’s agent is asking for an unreasonable amount of money in negotiations, Raanan tweets.
Former Saints outside linebacker Junior Galette, who is meeting with Washington tonight, has also drawn interest from six other teams, John Keim of ESPN.com tweets. However, Galette would prefer Washington over his other suitors and feels like it’s a good fit, Mike Jones of the Washington Post tweets.
Interestingly enough, Zac Boyer of The Washington Times (on Twitter) hears that Washington is the only team that has reached out with interest in Galette. The Bucs no longer seem to be in the mix, he adds.

Jets’ Sheldon Richardson Arrested

July 30th, 2015 at 6:28pm CST by Zachary Links

6:28pm: The Jets were not made of Richardson’s arrest until media reports surfaced, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News tweets.

Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) spoke with three different sources from rival teams that think Richardson will never play another NFL down after his arrest.

5:41pm: Sheldon Richardson was charged Thursday with resisting arrest and traffic violations after a July 14th incident in Missouri, Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets. Richardson was clocked going 143 mph and had a gun in the vehicle (Twitter links).

Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday (on Twitter) passes along a copy of the police report which indicates that the gun was fully loaded. Richardson tried to avoid police apprehension and there was a “very strong odor of marijuana” in the car, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets. There were two adult males in the car with Richardson at the time as well as a 12-year-old.

Of course, this incident does not bode well for Richardson’s NFL future as it comes just two weeks after he was suspended for marijuana use. Richardson, 24, had been expected to start on the Jets’ defensive line alongside nose tackle Damon Harrison and standout defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson prior to the suspension. With this incident thrown into the mix, there’s no telling when Richardson might return to Gang Green.

Richardson’s absence will probably open the door for sixth overall pick Leonard Williams to step into the starting lineup and the Jets certainly hope that he’s ready to hit the ground running. Richardson’s suspension and latest off-the-field issue could also provide Wilkerson some additional leverage in his extension talks with the Jets.

Giants To Sign James Jones

July 30th, 2015 at 5:35pm CST by Zachary Links

The Giants will sign James Jones to a one-year deal, the wide receiver tells Fallon Smith of CSNBayArea.com (on Twitter). Jones will head east and arrive in the New York area tomorrow.

Jones probably won’t ever approach his high-water mark season of 2012, when he led the league with 14 touchdown receptions while catching passes from Aaron Rodgers. But, he’s still only 31 years old, and has remained remarkably durable, missing just eight of a possible 128 career games. He has also proven to be consistent, averaging 48 receptions for roughly 620 yards and five scores each year.

After spending seven seasons in Green Bay, Jones established a new career high in 2014 with 73 receptions in Oakland, easily the most catches for any player currently available. Given the conservative nature of the Raiders’ offense though, Jones averaged just 9.1 yards per catch, significantly below his career mark, for a total of only 666 yards.

The Seahawks and Chiefs also reportedly made inquiries on Jones since he was released by the Raiders on May 4th, but it’s the Giants that have wound up with him.

Bengals To Sign Greg Little

July 30th, 2015 at 5:12pm CST by Zachary Links

5:12pm: In related moves, the Bengals have waived wide receiver Cobi Hamilton and placed LB Rey Maualuga on the active/NFI list, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer tweets.

4:18pm: Greg Little has signed a one year deal with the Bengals, a source tells Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter). The wide receiver will provide depth for Cincinnati after James Wright was waived.

Little, who played three seasons for the Browns, spent most of last season with Cincinnati. However, the former second-round pick was cut by the Bengals back in February. Now, he has circled back after a season in which he had just six catches on 12 targets, for a total of 69 yards.

Little hauled in 61 passes for 709 receiving yards in his rookie season, but has seen his totals in both categories decline in each year since then. In 2013, he grabbed just 41 passes for 465 yards, leading to his release by the Browns. The Raiders claimed Little off waivers at that point, but also cut him later in the offseason.

Giants Hosting James Jones

July 30th, 2015 at 4:32pm CST by Zachary Links

Veteran wide receiver James Jones is visiting the Giants, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. The hope for both sides is that the powwow will turn into a signing, he adds.

Jones probably won’t ever approach his high-water mark season of 2012, when he led the league with 14 touchdown receptions while catching passes from Aaron Rodgers. But, he’s still only 31 years old, and has remained remarkably durable, missing just eight of a possible 128 career games. He has also proven to be consistent, averaging 48 receptions for roughly 620 yards and five scores each year.

After spending seven seasons in Green Bay, Jones established a new career high in 2014 with 73 receptions in Oakland, easily the most catches for any player currently available. Given the conservative nature of the Raiders’ offense though, Jones averaged just 9.1 yards per catch, significantly below his career mark, for a total of only 666 yards.

The Seahawks, Giants, and Chiefs have also reportedly inquiries on Jones since he was released by the Raiders on May 4th.

No Deal Close For Russell Wilson, Seahawks

July 30th, 2015 at 3:52pm CST by Luke Adams

With Russell Wilson‘s self-imposed deadline for a contract extension right around the corner, the Seahawks and Wilson are talking and trying to work out a deal, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via NFL.com’s Kevin Patra). However, according to Rapoport, there’s pessimism that a deal will get done before Seattle opens training camp tomorrow.

As Rapoport and others have reported, the two sides still aren’t close to agreeing on the amount of cash up front and the guaranteed money in the deal. While the structures discussed by Wilson and the Seahawks have included significant guarantees, the team hasn’t been willing to fully guarantee that money — much of it is guaranteed for injury only.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk also reported earlier this week that the $21MM-per-year offer the Seahawks are believed to have made to Wilson refers only to “new money.” In other words, if the Seahawks offered a four-year extension at a rate of $21MM annually, the quarterback would only make about $17.1MM per year over the next five seasons when taking into account his $1.5MM salary for 2015.

As we wait to see whether or not Wilson and the Seahawks can reach a compromise before camp gets underway, here are a few more notes on the situation:

Per Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter), the Seahawks’ offer to Wilson is very strong by the team’s standards, but it would be viewed as a weak deal by quarterback standards, in terms of guaranteed money.
In a piece for CBSSports.com, former agent Joel Corry explains why Wilson won’t hold out, and takes an in-depth look at how high the Seahawks should be willing to go to get something done with their star quarterback.
Former NFL quarterback Warren Moon, a friend of Wilson’s, spoke to Robert Klemko of TheMMQB.com about what the Seahawks quarterback is looking for, explaining that he “doesn’t want to sign a deal that becomes obsolete.”

Free Agent Rumors: Bengals, Cherilus, Long

July 30th, 2015 at 3:04pm CST by Luke Adams

The Bengals are considering adding a veteran receiver to compete in training camp for a roster spot and playing time, and they worked out a couple interesting names today, according to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (Twitter link). Getlin reports that, in addition to Greg Little, Santonio Holmes and David Nelson also auditioned for Cincinnati. Holmes, a longtime Jet, played for the Bears in 2014, while Nelson has accumulated 138 receptions in five seasons with the Bills and Jets. So far, none of the three wideouts have signed with the Bengals.

Here are a few other notes, rumors, and updates on free agency around the NFL:

Having visited the Bills and Lions, offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus headed home today without a deal in place, and will assess his options, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports. If Cherilus is deciding between Buffalo and Detroit and doesn’t plan on making any more visits, I’d expect him to sign soon.
Another veteran offensive lineman who made some visits this week also remains on the market, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, who writes that Jake Long‘s meeting with the Broncos ended without the club signing the former No. 1 pick. Long is also said to be drawing interest from the Falcons and Giants.
The Cowboys have been linked to free agent running backs most of the offseason, but executive VP Stephen Jones says the team doesn’t have any plans to bring in another one at this point. The team will, however, add a couple linebackers, according to Jones (Twitter link via Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram).
Free agent cornerback Josh Victorian, who last played a regular season game for Houston in 2013, tried out for the Titans, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link).

AFC East Notes: Brady, Bills, Dolphins

July 30th, 2015 at 2:03pm CST by Luke Adams

Earlier today, we learned that a Minnesota judge ruled that the NFLPA’s appeal on behalf of Tom Brady will be transferred to Manhattan, where the NFL first filed its own lawsuit. According to NFLPA outside counsel Jeffrey Kessler, the union doesn’t view that as a big deal.

“It really doesn’t matter to us where the case is,” Kessler told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “What we finally have is a neutral forum. Before a neutral forum, we are very confident in our position.”

The NFLPA will have make some revisions when it re-files its appeal in New York, but “ostensibly we will be making the same arguments,” said Kessler, adding that the union is “very happy” to have Judge Richard M. Berman appointed to the case.

Let’s round up a couple more items related to the Brady situation, along with some other notes out of the AFC East….

Kessler spoke yesterday to Tom Pelissero of USA Today, broadly addressing the NFLPA’s appeal on Brady’s behalf and explaining the case the union will be making in court. As Pelissero writes, the NFLPA’s appeal quotes Patriots owner Robert Kraft at length, and Kessler said of Kraft’s statement from earlier this week: “I’ve never more agreed with Robert Kraft in my life, about anything.”
On the Dan Patrick Show today, NFLPA executive George Atallah said the NFLPA’s settlement offer involved Brady paying a fine instead of serving a suspension, and the NFL didn’t respond to that offer (Twitter link via Noah Coslov).
Appearing at a “Business of Sports” breakfast in Buffalo on Thursday, Bills owner Terry Pegula said work on a new stadium for his team is “nothing urgent right now,” writes Mark Gaughan of The Buffalo News. Commissioner Roger Goodell and some NFL owners have said that a new stadium will eventually be a necessity in Western New York, but Pegula pointed to several upgrades made on Ralph Wilson Stadium in recent years, suggesting it would be “foolish” to pursue a new stadium right after renovating the current one.
Speaking today to reporters, including James Walker of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Dolphins owner Stephen Ross praised the talent on Miami’s 2015 roster, and said he and head coach Joe Philbin are expecting a payoff this year. While Ross didn’t specifically address Philbin’s job status, there has been plenty of speculation that the head coach will be on the hot seat if the Fins don’t make the playoffs this season.

Cowboys’ Keith Rivers Retires

July 30th, 2015 at 1:07pm CST by Luke Adams

Veteran linebacker Keith Rivers, who signed with the Cowboys back in March, has decided to retire. According to Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com (via Twitter), the Cowboys have placed Rivers on their reserve/retired list, opening up a roster spot.

Rivers, a seven-year veteran, was a top-10 pick out of USC in 2008, drafted ninth overall by the Bengals. The 29-year-old spent his first four years in Cincinnati, appearing in 35 regular season contests for the Bengals before his final year with the team was wiped out by a wrist injury.

In 2012, the Giants acquired Rivers in exchange for a fifth-round pick, and the linebacker spent the next two years with Big Blue before joining the Bills for the 2014 season. He appeared in 12 games for Buffalo last year, making 16 tackles.

The Cowboys’ linebacking corps has taken a bit of a hit with Rivers’ retirement and Rolando McClain‘s four-game suspension to start the season. However, the team is still fairly deep at the position, with Sean Lee coming back from a season-ending injury and Jasper Brinkley and Andrew Gachkar having signed with Dallas in the offseason.

Irsay Optimistic About Hilton, Castonzo Deals

July 30th, 2015 at 12:04pm CST by Luke Adams

The Colts don’t intend to negotiate a new contract with quarterback Andrew Luck until 2016, and head coach Chuck Pagano also isn’t expected to have his contract extended before the season. However, team owner Jim Irsay believes there’s a good chance Indianapolis can lock up wide receiver T.Y. Hilton and left tackle Anthony Castonzo to new deals within the next few weeks, as he tells Mike Wells of ESPN.com.

“We have a little time with trying to work on a few extensions,” Irsay said. “There’s no reason Anthony Castonzo and T.Y. Hilton can’t get done. Look for us to keep core players and our top players. I don’t think it’ll be a distraction. I can’t see why we can’t get something done before Labor Day with T.Y. and Anthony.”

Both Hilton and Castonzo are entering the final year of their respective contracts — as a former first-round pick with a fifth-year option, Castonzo will earn a $7.438MM salary this season if he doesn’t agree to a new deal, while Hilton will get a more modest $1.542MM base salary.

There have been conflicting reports on Hilton’s contract situation recently, with Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com writing earlier this week that Luck’s eventual extension could make it tricky for Indianapolis to lock up Hilton to a big-money deal of his own. However, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report indicated that the Colts are currently engaged in extension negotiations with Hilton, adding that there’s a decent chance the two sides work something out within the next few weeks. Irsay’s comments seem to support that report.

As for Pagano, the Colts head coach reportedly turned down a one-year extension offer from the team earlier in the offseason, opting to coach the final year of his current deal instead. Despite the lack of an agreement, Irsay is confident that things will eventually work out with Pagano.

“With Chuck’s situation, we’ve had conversations and it’s all been friendly,” Irsay said. “He understands where I’m coming from. I understand where he’s coming from. My hope is we’re going to have a great season and Chuck will end up eventually signing an extension. Chuck is really motivated and he’s excited about this year.”