2016 March - Pro Football Rumors

Colts Sign Patrick Robinson

March 24th, 2016 at 7:49am CST by Sam Robinson

THURSDAY, 7:49am: Rapoport provides more details on Robinson’s new deal with the Colts, tweeting that the three-year pact is worth $14MM, with $6MM in guarantees.

WEDNESDAY, 7:58pm: Robinson’s three-year deal is worth more than $12MM, Rapoport reports (on Twitter).

7:17pm: The Cowboys were set to pay Robinson $13.5MM on a three-year contract, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets. Dallas’ offer contained approximately $5.5MM in guaranteed money, according to Hill. Financial terms of Robinson’s Colts accord haven’t emerged.

7:12pm: Robinson released a statement (via Rand Getlin of NFL.com, on Twitter) stating he never agreed to a deal with another team and didn’t authorize Conner to agree to another franchise’s terms.

6:54pm: Patrick Robinson‘s complex free agency journey will end with the cornerback signing with the Colts, Mike Chappell of IndySportsCentral.com tweets.

It’s a three-year deal for Robinson, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Paying a visit to both Dallas and Indianapolis, Robinson ultimately opted for the Colts, where he’ll likely join Vontae Davis as a starting cornerback.

Robinson was one of the best corners remaining on the market. The 28-year-old cornerback re-stabilized his career during his one-year stint with the Chargers, starting in 10 games after his career lost some steam with the Saints. When lined up in the slot, Robinson held quarterbacks to the third-worst rating (67.7), per Nathan Jahnke of PFF (on Twitter).

The former first-round pick of the Saints’ finished as Pro Football Focus’ No. 30-ranked corner last season. He and Davis should be an upgrade from the Davis-Greg Toler tandem the Colts deployed for the majority of the past three seasons. Toler, who signed a three-year deal with the Colts in 2013, remains an unrestricted free agent.

The 5-foot-11 Robinson has 10 career interceptions in 43 starts to his credit after joining the then-Super Bowl champion Saints as the No. 32 overall pick in 2010 out of Florida State.

Robinson was reportedly near a deal with the Cowboys before switching agents, with Ron Butler taking over for Kevin Conner. Butler appears to have brokered a Colts accord. The Giants were also interested in Robinson but couldn’t add to the corner’s two-visit week in time to further complicate Robinson’s second free agency venture in two years.

The Cowboys have now visited with three cornerbacks — Robinson, Nolan Carroll and Leon Hall — with the former duo agreeing to sign elsewhere. Hall remains unsigned.

As Chappell points out (via Twitter), Robinson’s interest in coming to the Midwest may have been aided by the Colts hiring Greg Williams, who coached Robinson with the Chargers last season. Robinson spent seven years with the Chargers, many of those years coming under DC John Pagano, before agreeing to join Chuck Pagano‘s staff in January.

Photo courtesy USA Today Sports Images

NFC Rumors: Kelly, Eagles, Randle, Cowboys

March 23rd, 2016 at 10:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

Chip Kelly told Philadelphia-area media, including Jeff McLane of Philly.com, he didn’t communicate directly with Howie Roseman last season before being fired by the Eagles. The current 49ers coach said owner Jeffrey Lurie constructed an arrangement where the then-demoted Roseman sent messages to the then-empowered Kelly through player personnel VP Ed Marynowitz.

Kelly also asserted he didn’t control the contracts given to Byron Maxwell and DeMarco Murray, with the three-year Eagles coach telling media Roseman, who has since traded both players, constructed those deals.

“I wasn’t the personnel guy. I was in charge of the 90-man roster,” Kelly said. “But I didn’t negotiate and say this guy gets this amount of money and that guy gets that amount of money. And Ed was the one who ran our personnel department. That really fell on Ed’s shoulders in terms of how he handled everything. And Ed communicated with him all the time.

Here’s some more on the Eagles and news from some additional NFC teams.

Former Eagles first-round linebacker Marcus Smith will move to defensive end in Jim Schwartz‘s 4-3 scheme, Zach Berman of Philly.com reports. Doug Pederson told media, including Berman, his linebackers right now will consist of Mychal Kendricks on the weak side, Jordan Hicks in the middle and Nigel Bradham on the strong side.
The Vikings inquired about Rueben Randle early in free agency, Darren Wolfson of KSTP tweets, but no substantial interest materialized prior to Randle choosing to trek to Philadelphia.
The Giants, however, had no interest in re-signing Randle, Jordan Raanan of the Star-Ledger tweets. John Mara said last week the Giants were going to seek receiving help, but the market has been mostly raided in terms of notable first-time free agents. Veterans Roddy White, Marques Colston and Percy Harvin remain unsigned.
The Cowboys are expected meet with Paxton Lynch again before the draft after doing so in a productive meeting today, NFL.com’s Rand Getlin tweets. Dallas is allotted 30 visits with prospects.
Washington safety Kyshoen Jarrett‘s status is uncertain for this season, with Jay Gruden telling media — including JP Finlay of CSNMidAtlantic.com — he’s “very concerned” about the lack of strength in Jarrett’s shoulder presently. A key backup and part-time starter as a rookie last season, Jarrett was injured in Week 17 against the Cowboys.

Zach Links contributed to this report

AFC Notes: Bills, Titans, McCarron, Ferguson

March 23rd, 2016 at 9:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

Roger Goodell and other league brass see it as “imperative” the Bills build a new stadium, Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News reports. A source told Carucci the league hierarchy regards Ralph Wilson Stadium, which opened in 1973, as one of the three worst in the league, along with the Raiders’ and Chargers’ venues.

“I don’t think it’s urgent like it has to happen tomorrow,” Giants owner John Mara told media. “But I think, for the long-term best interests of that franchise, they need to be in a new building. They still have great fan support. But there’s a growing disparity in income between the top quartile teams and the bottom quartile teams, and that’s something we have to be conscious of. And a new stadium would help them a great deal.”

The franchise recently spent upwards of $130MM to renovate the stadium, but a source told Carucci the league wasn’t behind that renovation and doesn’t see it as a major upgrade.

Here’s some more from the AFC.

Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News is unimpressed with the way the Jets have treated veteran tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson this offseason. It’s not clear yet whether Ferguson is in the Jets’ plans for 2016, given the team’s lack of cap flexibility and the lineman’s $14MM+ cap hit, and Mehta believes the lack of communication with one of the team’s most respected veterans “has been embarrassing.”
Although Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk recently suggested that the team’s ownership structure uncertainties would soon be resolved, a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that the NFL remains unsatisfied with the efforts to “address issues with the hierarchy.” According to that source, there’s still a very real possibility of a forced sale. Titans president Steve Underwood dismissed that idea, telling Florio, “Anonymous sources related to Titans ownership are always unreliable and misinformed.”
With several teams in need of quarterback help, Bengals owner Mike Brown won’t rule out an A.J. McCarron trade, according to Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer. While Marvin Lewis seemed to close the door on the Bengals moving their backup quarterback, Brown said any player’s available for the right deal. The owner, however, said he doesn’t foresee a trade materializing right now. McCarron completed 66.4% of his passes last season, throwing six touchdown passes compared to two interceptions in three starts in relief of Andy Dalton.
Picking at No. 13, the Dolphins are very interested in Vernon Hargraves III, a Florida spokesperson told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. With the exception of newly acquired Byron Maxwell, Miami’s cornerback contingent consists of second-, third- or fourth-year players, with Jamar Taylor heading the group.

Zach Links contributed to this report

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/23/16

March 23rd, 2016 at 8:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are today’s minor moves from around the NFL.

The Seahawks signed long-snapper Drew Ferris, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets. Ferris participated in a Jets rookie minicamp in 2015 after playing at Florida in college. Ferris will vie for the Seattle long-snapping job with Andrew East, Condotta reports, after the team released veteran snapper Clint Gresham.
Austin Pasztor signed his RFA tender to stay with the Browns, Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk reports. Pasztor will make $1.67MM after the Browns tagged him with the low-end tender. The 26-year-old lineman has 23 starts to his credit in four seasons in Jacksonville and Cleveland.

Broncos Re-Sign Jordan Norwood

March 23rd, 2016 at 8:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos will bring back slot receiver and part-time return man Jordan Norwood on a one-year deal, the veteran wideout announced on his Twitter page (via Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post).

Norwood will re-join a crowded stable of Broncos backup targets, one that also includes Cody Latimer and Bennie Fowler. The Super Bowl champions don’t have much statistical proficiency behind Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, but the Broncos opted to use as many as six receivers regularly under Gary Kubiak last season.

Norwood visited the Jets and Lions during free agency but opted to remain in Denver. The Broncos possessed just $1.65MM in cap space — second-fewest in the league — prior to signing the experienced backup target for an undisclosed amount.

Prior to setting a Super Bowl record with a 61-yard punt return, Norwood saw extensive action in the slot for the Broncos last season, starting five games after missing 2013 and 2014 due to injuries. Norwood caught 22 passes for 207 yards and no scores last season, with the 22 receptions ranking third among Denver receivers.

A former UDFA, Norwood could fill Denver’s return specialist vacancies created by the UFA statuses of Andre Caldwell and Omar Bolden. A soon-to-be-30-year-old receiver, Norwood returned six punts for 51 yards during the regular season.

Prior to joining the Broncos, Norwood spent time with the Eagles and Browns, starting four games with the latter in 2011. Norwood has missed three entire seasons — 2010, 2013 and 2014 — but appears to have an opportunity to contribute for the defending champions, who now have five receivers under contract.

Draft Rumors: Wentz, 49ers, Chargers, Titans

March 23rd, 2016 at 7:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here’s the latest on the incoming prospect pool and the interested teams.

Hue Jackson will attend Carson Wentz‘s pro day Thursday but won’t trek to Memphis to observe Paxton Lynch‘s due to the Browns being in “training mode” by the time Lynch throws for scouts April 6, according to ESPNCleveland.com’s Tony Grossi (on Twitter).
The 49ers have used some of their 30 permitted visits on several top prospects, including cornerbacks Eli Apple and Mackensie Alexander, Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reports. Ole Miss first-round prospects Laquon Treadwell and Robert Nkemdiche are also among players the 49ers, who hold the No. 7 pick, has met with or plans to.
Toledo wide receiver Alonzo Russell will work out for the Cowboys after previously meeting with the Packers, Aaron Wilson of National Football Post reports. Russell totaled 13 touchdowns and more than 1,300 receiving yards during his junior and senior seasons.
Ex-Alabama cornerback/kick returner Cyrus Jones has a full itinerary, with visits with the Ravens, Eagles, Bills and Saints lined up, Wilson reports (on Twitter). Jones also has private workouts with the Buccaneers and Panthers scheduled, per Wilson.
Mississippi State tight end Darrion Hutcherson will visit the Chargers, per Wilson. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound Hutcherson played in 26 games for the Bulldogs, logging just six starts.
The Chargers are also set to meet with former Buffalo tackle John Kling, Wilson tweets. The 6-foot-7, 315-pound Bulls lineman played right and left tackle in his five years at the university.
The Titans plan to host Ohio State safety Vonn Bell on a workout, Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com tweets. The 5-11, 205-pound early-entry safety made six interceptions as a sophomore in 2014 after joining the Buckeyes in 2013 as a five-star recruit.
Former Minnesota linebacker De’Vondre Campbell will visit the nearby professional franchise, with the Vikings summit on April 5-6, Darren Wolfson of KSTP tweets. A fifth-year senior, Campbell recorded 92 tackles for the Gophers while also registering a team-high four sacks last season.
The Colts are hosting former Arkansas linebacker Myke Tavarres, who transferred to Incarnate Word, on an April 7 visit, Wilson tweets.
The Buccaneers are set to host North Carolina Central defensive back Ryan Smith on a visit, Wilson reports (on Twitter).

Talks On Roger Goodell’s Discipline Role Encounter Big Setback

March 23rd, 2016 at 5:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Thought to be progressing, the prospect of Roger Goodell stepping back from his role in disciplinary measures doesn’t look strong at this point. The league and NFLPA have taken a “massive step back” in stripping the commissioner of these powers, according to Jim Trotter of ESPN.com.

In an email ESPN obtained from DeMaurice Smith to the union executive committee, the NFLPA executive director said the NFL communicated a “dramatic change of course” in terms of moving in a different disciplinary direction for the league this week.

The NFLPA’s three points of contention have been the use of the Commissioner Exempt List, neutral arbitration and delegation of commissioner authority, per Trotter, and the players’ association viewed those as intertwined. But Smith said in the email the league doesn’t view neutral arbitration as being part of this discussion, and this discrepancy appears to be one of the talking points that have set back the negotiations.

Smith’s email brings up talks the sides had in October 2015 regarding the use of a panel a three former judges to serve as a disciplinary council of sorts, but the league’s change of course the league looks to have nixed that idea. It goes on to say the NFL wants to “dictate and narrowly limit the scope of these collective bargaining negotiations,” which is a sticking point for the union.

Smith closes with a statement that illustrates the sides’ disconnect over this matter.

“It is very important to know that the NFL’s current proposal does little to address the NFL’s legal and ethical failings regarding the PCP [Personal Conduct Policy] that have occurred during the past year.”

Goodell’s constantly scrutinized authority over the disciplinary aspect of the league doesn’t look to be diminishing any time soon.

Photo courtesy USA Today Sports Images

Giants Interested In Patrick Robinson?

March 23rd, 2016 at 5:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

Patrick Robinson‘s sojourn back around the free agent market post-agent switch could have the cornerback eyeing the Giants.

Although Robinson’s visited the Cowboys and Colts this week, the Giants are interested in the veteran corner, a source informs Jordan Raanan of NJ.com (Twitter link).

Tied to the Cowboys prior to switching agents earlier this week, Robinson may now be the best corner available. And moving from Kevin Conner to Ron Butler appears to have reignited Robinson’s market.

Although the Giants already landed the market’s highest-priced corner in Janoris Jenkins on Day 1 of free agency, John Mara recently identified cornerback as an area New York would target, along with wide receiver and offensive line. Big Blue possesses $24.34MM in cap space despite their historic spending rate to kick off this year’s free agency period.

The Giants have Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie as their projected starters but have a need beyond that. Trumaine McBride is a UFA, and young and unproven corners are currently residing behind the Giants’ big two.

Robinson enjoyed a bounce-back season in San Diego, rehabilitating his value on the one-year deal with the Chargers. He rated as Pro Football Focus’ No. 30- ranked cornerback.

Entering his age-29 season, the former Saints first-rounder in 2010 clearly has some momentum after the top-tier corners signed early in free agency.

Photo courtesy USA Today Sports Images

Draft Rumors: 49ers, Jets, Colts, Bears

March 23rd, 2016 at 4:57pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a rundown of the latest news on the 2016 NFL Draft:

Missouri defensive back Kenya Dennis met with the 49ers yesterday and met with the Jets this afternoon, according to Tony Pauline for WalterFootball.com. Dennis struggled somewhat in 2015 after a terrific junior campaign, but Pauline writes that teams see him either as a safety or cornerback in dime packages.
Illinois State running back/wide receiver Marshaun Coprich interviewed with the Colts and Bears, per Pauline. The Colts in particular are high on his skill set.
The Jets, Lions, and Bengals all sent position coaches to watch North Carolina Central corner Ryan Smith work out, Pauline writes. Smith also interviewed with the Jets prior to his pro day.
In total, Smith has six workouts and five visits on his docket, Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post writes. In addition to the clubs listed above, Smith has private workouts with the Cardinals, Jets, Panthers, Patriots, and Ravens. On top of that, he has visits lined up with the Raiders, Steelers, Buccaneers, Dolphins, and Vikings. At the combine, Smith turned heads when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds.
Portland State Long Snapper Kameron Canaday has had private workouts with the Cardinals and Broncos, as Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets.
Texas Tech wide receiver/kick returner Jakeem Grant had a private workout with the Colts, Getlin tweets. He also has a workout set with the Jets and a team visit coming up with the Cowboys.
Vernon Hargreaves has a meeting with the Jaguars on April 5th, per Jenna Laine of Sports Talk 1040 (on Twitter). He’ll also be meeting with the Buccaneers on April 7th or 8th.
Former Clemson safety Jayron Kearse has met with, or is set to visit and/or workout with the Lions, Steelers, Jaguars, and Jets, Getlin tweets.

NFL Tweaks IR/Designated To Return Rule

March 23rd, 2016 at 3:23pm CST by Luke Adams

Most of the NFL’s rule changes that were proposed and approved at this week’s owners’ meetings affect the play on the field, but at least one rule change will have an impact on how teams manage their rosters going forward. As Marc Sessler of NFL.com details, the league has adjusted the rules for the usage of the IR/designated to return slot.

Previously, a team was required to specify whether a player was receiving the designated-to-return tag at the time that player was placed on injured reserve. The designation allowed the player to return to practice after six weeks and to return to game action after eight weeks, rather than having to spend the entire season on IR.

Based on a new rule proposed by the Bills and approved by the NFL’s owners, teams will no longer have to specifically designate that a player will be occupying that IR-DTR spot when he’s placed on injured reserve. For instance, if a team places five players on injured reserve before Week 1, that club could decide at a later date to bring back any one of those players off IR.

The six-week waiting period will still apply, and teams will still only be able to use the IR-DTR designation on a single player per year — so in the previous example, the other four players will have to stay on IR all season, or until they work out an injury settlement with the club. Still, the option to postpone the decision on which player gets the designation will give teams more freedom and roster flexibility going forward, allowing clubs to maximize the use of that IR-DTR spot.

The rest of this week’s rule changes can be found via Sessler’s piece and right here.