2016 January - Pro Football Rumors

Coach Notes: 49ers, Butler, Giants, Chargers

January 28th, 2016 at 8:38am CST by Luke Adams

Adam Gase‘s coaching staff in Miami initially wasn’t expected to include more than a couple of the assistants who finished the 2015 season under Dan Campbell. However, the new Dolphins head coach ultimately decided to keep nine members of the team’s old coaching staff on board, as Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald writes. According to Dolphins football czar Mike Tannenbaum, it was Gase – not Tannenbaum or GM Chris Grier – that made the decision to retain those coaches.

“The coaching staff in particular reports to Adam and certainly Chris and I made some suggestions, but they [all] went through and were vetted through a pretty rigorous process,” Tannenbaum said. “They wouldn’t be on our staff if Adam didn’t feel good about them.”

Here are a few more coaching notes from around the NFL:

Mike Vrabel wasn’t the only Texans assistant to interview for the 49ers‘ defensive coordinator job before Chip Kelly ultimately decided on Jim O’Neil. According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, San Francisco also spoke to Texans secondary coach John Butler about the position. “The 49ers like our coaching staff; we’ve got a really strong staff,” Texans head coach Bill O’Brien said. “John Butler is another guy that was sought after. Our staff is held in pretty high regard. I think that’s a credit to those guys and a credit to our players.”
The Giants interviewed former Chargers assistant Don Johnson for their defensive line coach job, according to James Kratch of NJ Advance Media. Former Syracuse head coach Paul Pasqualoni also met with the Giants recently about that role.
In addition to hiring a defensive line coach, the Giants may also add an assistant defensive line coach to their staff, a league source tells Kratch. Tom Coughlin didn’t have that position on his staff, but it appears Ben McAdoo is considering it.
Former Patriots offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo, who was not retained by Bill Belichick after New England’s elimination from the postseason, is meeting with the Chargers about their assistant offensive line coach job, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports.

Draft Notes: Cowboys, Nkemdiche, Jets

January 27th, 2016 at 9:58pm CST by Zachary Links

This week, your Twitter timeline is probably chock full of news about teams meeting with top draft prospects. Of course, a team meeting with a prospect actually means very little, as Mike McCartney explained in a succinct tweet on Tuesday: “Senior Bowl Pet Peeve: EVERY player here meets with EVERY team.”

Here at Pro Football Rumors, we have opted against sharing every single meeting between NFL teams and draft prospects, opting instead to bring you only the most important and relevant draft news. With that in mind, here’s today’s look at the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft:

Ole Miss defensive end Robert Nkemdiche had a weird incident in 2015 but teams are still evaluating him like he’s a top five pick, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (video link). Specifically, the Cowboys are taking a hard look at him and so are the Chargers. Nkemdiche boasts tremendous size and moves like a tight end, so it’s not hard for teams to overlook some off-the-field red flags. For his part, Miller sees him as a strong fit for Dallas but also feels that the Titans are a logical destination. However, that doesn’t mean that Tennessee will reach and take him No. 1 overall.
The Jets spent a lot of time with Boise State safety Darian Thompson on Wednesday morning, according to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (on Twitter). Thompson grades out as a second or third round prospect, per Pauline.
Thompson, Temple defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis and OSU wide receiver Braxton Miller are drawing rave reviews from scouts, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
The Cowboys spent a great deal of time with Southern Utah defensive back Miles Killebrew, according to Pauline (link).
A top NFL personnel exec at the Senior Bowl opined to Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer (on Twitter) that the Browns should take quarterback Carson Wentz at No. 2. “They’d be set for 15 years,” the anonymous exec said.

Browns To Hire Andrew Berry

January 27th, 2016 at 5:54pm CST by Zachary Links

The Browns are set to hire Colts pro scouting coordinator Andrew Berry as VP of Player Personnel, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The position is believed to be the Browns’ top personnel job, though Sashi Brown will continue to have final say over the roster.

The Browns previously interviewed Lions senior personnel executive Brian Xanders and former Falcons director of player personnel Lionel Vital for their top available personnel position. Up until now, Berry was not mentioned as a candidate for the job. The hiring of Berry seems to have come out of left field, but it’s not the team’s most surprising hire of the offseason. Just weeks ago, the Browns hired longtime baseball exec Paul DePodesta for a front office role.

Berry, who has spent the last seven seasons with the Colts, served as the team’s pro scouting coordinator from 2012 though 2015. With Berry hired as VP of Player Personnel, the team’s heavy lifting in the front office and on the sidelines is likely done. In recent weeks, the team promoted Brown to executive vice president of football operations and hired ex-Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson as head coach.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Washington GM On Free Agency, RG3, Cousins

January 27th, 2016 at 5:11pm CST by Zachary Links

A look at the latest out of the nation’s capital:

In Scot McCloughan‘s first offseason as GM in Washington, he signed five free agents to fairly modest contracts. He says that fans should expect more of the same this spring. “I think we’ll have a little bit of money but it’s going to be similar,” he said, according to Rich Tandler of CSNMidAtlantic.com. “We’re not going to be big players. I don’t believe in that.” Any free agent the team does sign, he says, will have to be in the team-first mold. Last season, nose tackle Terrance Knighton was the only 2015 free agent to start more than six games for Washington.
Washington will almost certainly release Robert Griffin III from his contract, but the team’s GM won’t tip his hand on the quarterback’s future, as JP Finlay of CSNMidAtlantic writes. “We have until March 9th,” McCloughan said when asked what will happen next with the Baylor product. McCloughan’s answer indicates that Griffin will not be cut until we get closer to the start of free agency.
When it comes to retaining Kirk Cousins, all options are on the table, and that includes the franchise tag, as Finlay writes. “It’s an option,” the general manager said of the tag. “Of course you’d rather not.” Placing the franchise tag on Cousins would cost Washington a one-year guaranteed contract worth at least $19MM.

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/27/16

January 27th, 2016 at 5:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are the latest reserve/futures contract signings from around the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

CB Cariel Brooks (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com)

Miami Dolphins

WR Tyler Murphy (Twitter link via Dov Kleiman of RantSports)

New England Patriots

DL Joe Vellano (Twitter link via Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald)

North Notes: Bakhtiari, Browns, Lions

January 27th, 2016 at 3:46pm CST by Luke Adams

It’s not too early for Ted Thompson and the Packers to start thinking about extending David Bakhtiari‘s contract, according to Ryan Wood of USA Today-Wisconsin. Green Bay’s starting left tackle is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and is interested in remaining with the team beyond 2016, as he tells Wood.

“I think it’s mutual,” Bakhtiari said of his interest in sticking with the Packers. “I like it here, and they like me. I have another year. So I think if they want to do it early, awesome. If not, then we have one more year to work together. So we can talk about it then. I do think it’s too early though.”

The Packers don’t foray into free agency much, but do typically lock up their own players, so it could be a matter of when, not if, the team gets something done with Bakhtiari. We saw Green Bay lock up Mike Daniels months before he was eligible for free agency, but the club sometimes lets talks go down to the wire — Randall Cobb and Bryan Bulaga signed extensions a year ago just before hitting the open market.

As we wait to see if Bakhtiari and the Packers can get anything done this offseason, let’s round up some more items from out of the NFL’s North divisions….

Browns executive VP of football operations Sashi Brown would be shocked if the team traded up to No. 1 in the draft, telling Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com that the club is more likely to trade down, if it moves off the No. 2 pick. The Titans have the first overall pick, so if the Browns intend to select a quarterback second overall, the only way they won’t get their man is if another team trades for Tennessee’s pick.
New Lions general manager Bob Quinn said today that he hasn’t talked to Calvin Johnson yet about whether or not the wide receiver wants to continue playing, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Although Quinn doesn’t want to rush Johnson into a decision, the GM admits he “absolutely” hopes to have resolution on the issue before free agency begins in March.
Although there’s no question that Lions players wanted Jim Caldwell back as the team’s head coach, Quinn didn’t consult with any players before making a decision on Caldwell, as Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com details.
Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle passes (Twitter links) along a couple workout updates, reporting that the Browns recently tried out kicker Kyle Brindza, while the Vikings auditioned running back Isaiah Pead.

Russell Okung To Undergo Shoulder Surgery

January 27th, 2016 at 2:38pm CST by Luke Adams

Russell Okung‘s free agency will be a case worth watching closely this offseason, since the Seahawks tackle is set to represent himself, opting to head to the open market without an agent. While teams – besides the Seahawks – aren’t permitted to talk to Okung until March, the left tackle contacted all 32 clubs today, per Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link).

According to La Canfora (Twitter links), Okung sent an email to all 32 teams, letting them know that he’ll be undergoing surgery to repair his dislocated left shoulder, an injury he suffered during the Seahawks’ divisional-round loss to Carolina. Okung said in the message that he expects to be fully cleared in five months, which would put him on track to participate in training camp. The 28-year-old also expressed a desire to talk to any interested teams ASAP.

Of course, as La Canfora notes (via Twitter), Okung technically remains under contract with the Seahawks for a few more weeks, so there likely won’t be any teams replying directly to today’s email. Okung won’t officially be allowed to talk to interested teams until March 7, when 2016’s legal tampering period begins.

In the most recent edition of our free agent power rankings, Okung ranked ninth overall. However, PFR’s Dallas Robinson cautioned that the former sixth overall pick isn’t in the same class as left tackles like Trent Williams and Tyron Smith, who have signed mega-deals within the last couple years. With shoulder surgery looming and no agent to go to bat for him, Okung will face a challenge this offseason as he seeks a lucrative long-term contract of his own.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Eagles Notes: Ertz, Celek, Bradford

January 27th, 2016 at 1:45pm CST by Luke Adams

It’s been a busy week so far for the Eagles, who signed a pair of tight ends to new contracts and are still looking to hire a key personnel executive for their front office. Let’s check out the latest out of Philadelphia….

Using the contracts signed last winter by Julius Thomas and Charles Clay as points of comparison, Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap breaks down Zach Ertz‘s new deal with the Eagles. Fitzgerald also explains why Brent Celek‘s extension has plenty of value for Philadelphia, assuming the team had already decided to carry the veteran tight end on its roster for 2016.
The new deals for Ertz and Celek show that – after ceding power to Chip Kelly for a year – Howie Roseman is re-committing to building an atmosphere in which players drafted by the Eagles feel valued by the organization, and stick with the team for the long term, writes Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News. “It’s an important message to your team, that if you play really well and you do the right things and you’re drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, you’ve got a chance to stay for a long time,” Roseman said. “I think it’s important for the organization.”
Josh Paunil of PhillyMag.com spoke to former agent Joel Corry about the likely value of potential extensions for players like Fletcher Cox, Lane Johnson, and Vinny Curry. Corry also explained why he thinks Sam Bradford may ultimately sign a one-year contract this offseason rather than a long-term deal.
If the Eagles know whether they plan re-sign Bradford or let him walk, they’re not tipping their hand yet, as Bowen details in a Daily News piece.
Bowen and Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com (Twitter links) are both hearing rumblings that the personnel executive ultimately hired by the Eagles to work with Roseman will be a retread, rather than an up-and-comer.
The Eagles have hired Missouri’s Chris Wilson as their defensive line coach, Doug Pederson said today, per Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link).

NFC West Notes: Rams, Boldin, Cardinals

January 27th, 2016 at 12:17pm CST by Luke Adams

Before he threw a single regular-season pass for the Rams, Nick Foles signed a two-year extension that ensured he wouldn’t be eligible for free agency this winter. Although Foles is sticking around, he won’t be handed the starting quarterback job in 2016, according to Rams general manager Les Snead.

Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio from the Senior Bowl, Snead told Mark Dominik and Alex Marvez that he expects Foles, Case Keenum, Sean Mannion, and any other offseason QB additions to battle for the No. 1 job this summer (link via Marvez at FOX Sports). “If I learned one thing last year, we should have let the quarterbacks have a competition from the start and the best man win instead of just passing the torch to Nick,” Snead said.

The Rams are paying Foles like the starter, as the former Eagles will count for $8.75MM against the cap in ’16. By comparison, Mannion will have a cap hit under $1MM, while Keenum – a restricted free agent – likely won’t make more than $2-3MM. Still, it sounds like Foles’ higher price tag won’t guarantee him anything.

Let’s round up a few more items from around the NFC West…

49ers wideout Anquan Boldin, who is eligible for free agency this winter, spoke briefly to Chip Kelly after the new head coach joined the team, but said today that he has yet to engage in negotiations with anyone from the Niners’ front office about a new contract. Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle has the details, along with Boldin’s quotes.
Former Missouri edge defender Michael Sam plans to take “one more shot” at making an NFL roster this year, he tweeted on Tuesday. Sam became the first openly gay player to be drafted when he was selected by the Rams in 2014.
After bringing him in for a workout last month, the Cardinals have tried out defensive back Joel Wilkinson again, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
Earlier today, veteran Cardinals long snapper Mike Leach announced his retirement. Our full story can be found right here.

Bills Notes: QBs, Glenn, Incognito, Defense

January 27th, 2016 at 10:42am CST by Luke Adams

Bills GM Doug Whaley says he would “absolutely” consider drafting a quarterback early on, as Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News writes. Tyrod Taylor exceeded all expectations in his first year as a starter, but the Bills won’t close the door in taking another promising signal caller, since there’s no guarantee Taylor will remain in Buffalo for years to come.

“We’ll do it because if you look at it, unfortunately we have two quarterbacks on the roster and both of them are entering the last year of their contract,” Whaley said, referring to Taylor and EJ Manuel. “If it presents itself, it makes sense and it’s a guy we like, and we believe in, absolutely.”

Taylor completed 63.7% of his passes last season for 3,035 yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also set a new record for Bills quarterbacks with 568 rushing yards on the season. On the other hand, the former Raven had a hard time staying healthy, and detractors have noted his reluctance to throw over the middle of the field.

Here’s more out of Buffalo:

While he may consider drafting a quarterback this spring, Whaley isn’t convinced anyone in this year’s group is ready to step in and contribute immediately: “I think it’s a deep crop and I think it’s a crop that’s going to need some time. Now, it depends on their situation, who takes them and what they do. But I would say it’s not as top-heavy as last year where those top two guys would still be the top two guys. How quickly these guys can matriculate into the league, I think it’s going to take a little bit of time. Maybe a year, maybe a half of a year.”
Jim Overdorf, the Bills’ cap specialist, is expected to reach out to the agents for potential free agents Cordy Glenn and Richie Incognito soon, Dunne writes in a piece for The Buffalo News. One in-the-know source at the Senior Bowl tells Dunne that the floor for a new deal for Glenn could be about $10MM per year, so the franchise tag will be a viable option for the Bills’ left tackle.
Despite receiving a contract extension earlier this month, Whaley knows that there’s some urgency in Buffalo to make the Bills a contender in the near future. Still, as Dunne details in another column, the GM is confident that the club is headed in the right direction.
Despite the problems the Bills had in defense in 2015, the team doesn’t think it needs three or four new starters on that side of the ball, tweets Dunne. “I don’t think we need a major overhaul like we did last year with the offense,” Whaley said.