2016 March - Pro Football Rumors

Lions Re-Sign Dan Orlovsky

March 11th, 2016 at 11:14am CST by Luke Adams

The Lions have re-signed backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky to a new contract, the team announced today in a press release.

[RELATED: Lions re-sign LB Tahir Whitehead]

Orlovsky, 32, has been with the Lions for the last two seasons, and saw his first action in relief of Matthew Stafford in 2015. For the season, he completed 22 of 40 passes for 201 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. He hasn’t started a game since the 2011 season, as a Colt. Of course, his longest stretch as a starter came in 2008 for the Lions team that went 0-16.

While Orlovsky looks like the current favorite to be No. 2 on Detroit’s depth chart again in 2016, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets that he expects the team to draft a signal-caller to compete with Orlovsky this year.

Terms of the deal aren’t yet known, but I’d be surprised if it’s much more than a minimum salary contract.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Lions Re-Sign Tahir Whitehead

March 11th, 2016 at 11:05am CST by Zachary Links

FRIDAY, 11:05am: The Lions have officially re-signed Whitehead, the team announced today in a press release. Financial details on his two-year deal can be found right here.

THURSDAY, 3:37pm: The Lions are set to re-sign linebacker Tahir Whitehead, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s a two-year deal worth more than $8MM, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).

Whitehead was visiting with the Buccaneers today but, as it turns out, he’ll be staying put in Detroit. The 25-year-old (26 in April) ranked as our top non-rush outside linebacker when we examined 2016’s top defensive free agents over the weekend, though it should be noted that this was a weak crop of non-rush OLBs. In addition to the Bucs, the Eagles also showed interest in plucking Whitehead away from the Lions. Whitehead has said all along that his preference was to remain with the Lions, though he did say that he was focused on being a starter.

“Yes, that’s definitely one of the big factors because as a player in this league you don’t go somewhere or be on someone’s team just to be someone’s backup,” he said. “You want to go somewhere where you’re wanted, where you’re needed and you’re going to play. So I definitely want to be a starter. I think I’ve shown that I can be a starter in this league.”

Whitehead has appeared in all 16 of the Lions’ regular season games in the last three seasons.When Stephen Tulloch went down with a knee injury early in 2014, the Temple product was elevated to the starting lineup and wound up finishing second on the team in tackles. This past season, Whitehead took a backseat to Tulloch in the first half of the season but he started the final eight games and looked strong. In 2015, he started nine of his 16 games, recording 47 total tackles, 1 sack, six pass deflections, and one interception.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Contract Details: Kearse, Whitehead, Hali

March 11th, 2016 at 10:49am CST by Luke Adams

Here are a few of the latest contract details for players who have agreed to new deals and/or signed them in recent days. All links are courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle unless otherwise indicated…

NFC:

Jermaine Kearse, WR (Seahawks): Three years, $13.5MM. $6.3MM guaranteed. $5.5MM signing bonus. Up to $4.7MM in total incentives/escalators (Twitter links via Wilson and Tom Pelissero of USA Today).
Tahir Whitehead, LB (Lions): Two years, $8MM. $4.75MM guaranteed. $3MM signing bonus. $500K in annual playing-time/Pro Bowl incentives. $200K in per-game active roster bonuses in 2017 (Twitter links).
Sherrick McManis, CB (Bears): Two years, $2.85MM. $600K signing bonus. $150K roster bonus due 10th day of 2016 league year. $50K annual workout bonus (Twitter link).
Senio Kelemete, OL (Saints): Two years, $2.7MM. $300K signing bonus. $50K roster bonus due third day of 2017 league year. Up to $600K in annual incentives (Twitter links).
Kenrick Ellis, DT (Vikings): One year, $810K. $25K workout bonus. $25K bonus for one game on 53-man roster (Twitter link via Pelissero).

AFC:

Tamba Hali, OLB (Chiefs): Three years, $21MM. $11.5MM fully guaranteed. $4.75MM signing bonus. $500K annually in weight bonuses (five weigh-ins worth $100K each). $500K annually in per-game active roster bonuses (Twitter links via Wilson and Pelissero).
Robert Golden, S (Steelers): Three years, $4.95MM. $1.25MM signing bonus (Twitter link).
Eddie Pleasant, S (Texans): Two years, $2.15MM. $311K roster bonus in 2016. $36K roster bonus in 2017 (Twitter link).
Shane Lechler, P (Texans): One year, $1.8MM. $500K signing bonus (Twitter link).
Khiry Robinson, RB (Jets): One year, $1.175MM. $80K signing bonus. $20K roster bonus for first game. $350K in per-game roster bonuses (Twitter link).
Nick Novak, K (Texans): One year, $965K. Minimum salary benefit. $80K roster bonus due March 14 (Twitter link).

Washington Signs DL Kendall Reyes

March 11th, 2016 at 10:47am CST by Luke Adams

10:47am: The deal is official, as Stephen Czarda of the team’s website writes.

10:24am: Reyes’ one-year deal with Washington has a value of $2.5MM, and can be worth up to $3.35MM with incentives, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.

9:16am: Washington has added another piece to its defensive line, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, who tweets that the team has agreed to terms with former Charger Kendall Reyes. It will be a one-year deal for Reyes, per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

Reyes, a second-round pick in 2012, has been a starter on San Diego’s defensive line for the last three seasons. The 26-year-old, an interior player, racked up 10.5 sacks during his first two years in the league, but his numbers have been more modest in recent seasons. In 2015, Reyes picked up a pair of sacks to go along with 32 tackles and his first career interception.

While the Chargers leaned on Reyes heavily during his four years with the club, Pro Football Focus wasn’t particularly fond of his performance last season. PFF ranked the Connecticut product 120th out of 123 qualified interior defenders, assigning him the third-worst grade as a run defender among those players.

Nonetheless, Washington liked what it saw enough to bring Reyes in on a one-year deal. He’ll join Chris Baker, Stephen Paea, Ricky Jean-Francois, and Kedric Golston in a defensive line rotation that may not feature either Jason Hatcher or Terrance Knighton in 2016 — both veterans are currently free agents. Reyes also reunites with former Chargers linebackers coach Joe Barry, who is now Washington’s defensive coordinator.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Free Agent Rumors: Wisniewski, Jaguars, Giants, Sanu

March 11th, 2016 at 10:43am CST by Zachary Links

The latest free agent rumors:

Center Stefen Wisniewski remains an option to return as a starter for the Jaguars, but he is still shopping himself around, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets. The Jaguars, meanwhile, continue to seek out depth on the offensive line. Cowboys free agent guard Mackenzy Bernadeau is visiting the Jaguars, Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets.
New Falcons receiver Mohamed Sanu says that his agent indicated that the Giants, Chargers, Patriots, Bucs, Titans, and Washington were all interested in him, as Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweets.
The Raiders sniffed around Jerrell Freeman but they seem closer to signing a different inside linebacker in Erin Henderson, Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets. The Jets are also after Henderson, he adds.
Browns free agent linebacker Craig Robertson is on his way to visit the Seahawks, Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer tweets.

Draft Rumors: Bosa, Powell, Chargers, Browns

March 11th, 2016 at 10:34am CST by Zachary Links

The latest draft buzz:

Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa will be dining with the Chargers on Friday evening, Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net tweets.
Safety Tyvis Powell had one-on-one interviews with the Browns, Lions, Titans, and Saints, per Pauline (via WalterFootball.com). The Titans are looking to grab a safety on day two of the draft while the Lions are hoping to grab a safety early after whiffing on George Iloka in free agency.
Tight end Nick Vannett met with the Eagles, 49ers, Broncos, Seahawks, Falcons, and Jets. The Ohio State tight end was said to have had a strong showing at the 2016 Senior Bowl. At 6’6″ and 257 pounds, he has the size to compete as an NFL tight end. The Jets met with Vannett previously, so they could have a heightened level of interest in him.
Fast-rising Ohio State linebacker Darron Lee interviewed with the Browns and Saints on Thursday, per Pauline.
Mississippi State defensive back Taveze Calhoun met “extensively” with the 49ers and he has had private meetings with the Dolphins, Giants, and Rams. It sounds like Calhoun could be rising up draft boards.
Ohio State receiver Michael Thomas looked impressive at the program’s Pro Day and Pauline added that he met with the Saints on Thursday. He also had an “outstanding” meeting with the Browns and he’ll meet with the Patriots next week.

Latest On Washington, Kirk Cousins

March 11th, 2016 at 10:12am CST by Zachary Links

Washington is expected to resume negotiations with Kirk Cousins on a long-term deal after the free agency period slows down, team president Bruce Allen says (via Tarik El-Bashir of CSNMidAtlantic.com). Washington used the franchise tag to cuff Cousins earlier this month and the QB inked the ~$20MM tender. That tender wasn’t cheap, but it doesn’t seem like an exorbitant price to pay for one year of Cousins in the wake of the deals signed by quarterbacks Brock Osweiler and Sam Bradford.

Cousins, 27, became Washington’s full-time starting quarterback for the first time last season, earning 16 of his 25 career starts in 2015. The four-year veteran finished the regular season on a tear, completing 74% of his passes for nearly 1,200 yards, 12 touchdowns, and a 134.0 quarterback rating over the final four weeks of the year.

That end-of-season run helped Cousins cement his standing as a quarterback Washington couldn’t afford to lose, but his first 12 games weren’t too bad either. For the season, Cousins thew 29 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, led the league in completion percentage (69.8%), and helped Washington win its first division title since 2012.

Apparently, Washington was only interested in giving Cousins a franchise tag and the $17.7MM transition tag was not a consideration.

“We thought the best thing to do was the franchise tag,” Allen said, according to El-Bashir. “It made it clear where we stood with him. We had told his agent that’s what we were going to do.”

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

FA Rumors: Steelers, Fitzpatrick, CBs, Chargers

March 11th, 2016 at 9:50am CST by Luke Adams

The Steelers are exploring the possibility of adding some pass-rushing help in free agency, and have expressed interest in veteran defensive end Jason Jones, sources tell Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Jones is said to have a visit with the Dolphins scheduled for today.

Jones, 29, has been a full-time starter in Detroit for the last two seasons, picking up a total of 9.5 sacks in his last two seasons. In 2015, Pro Football Focus ranked him 43rd out of 110 qualified edge defenders, assigning him solid grades as both as a pass rusher and a run defender.

While Jones typically plays defensive end in a 4-3 system, Fowler suggests that the Steelers are intrigued by the possibility of Jones being able to rush from the outside and slide inside when necessary. Pittsburgh runs a 3-4 base, but defensive coordinator Keith Butler runs more 4-3 looks than you’d think, says Fowler.

As we wait to see what happens with Jones, here’s more on free agents around the NFL:

The “staredown” between the Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick is continuing today, according to Michael Silver of the NFL Network, who tweets that New York is considering other options. Silver confirms that the Broncos are pondering Fitzpatrick as a backup plan. We heard earlier today that the Browns and Rams don’t have real interest in the veteran QB.
Prince Amukamara visiting the Jaguars could be the first domino to fall in the cornerback market, tweets Peter Schrager of FOX Sports. While most top free agents are off the board, there are still a handful of intriguing corners available, including Casey Hayward, Brandon Boykin, Brett Grimes, and Patrick Robinson.
Having lost Ladarius Green to the Steelers, the Chargers are exploring the free agent market for tight ends, and will bring in James Hanna for a visit today, writes Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Hanna, who has been a Cowboy for the last four seasons, is also reportedly on the Vikings’ radar.
Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio, free agent tackle J’Marcus Webb said he has a visit set up with the Seahawks, but he also believes that the Raiders would like to re-sign him (Twitter link via Eddie Borsilli).
After a heavy focus on skill positions on Thursday, the Patriots have linemen on the radar for today as they schedule free agent visits, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Jerrell Freeman To Visit Bears

March 11th, 2016 at 9:36am CST by Zachary Links

Jerrell Freeman will be in Chicago today to visit with the Bears, Chris Hagan of FOX 59 tweets. The Giants and Falcons are also showing interest in the veteran linebacker.

Freeman would be an interesting pickup for the Bears, who have already added one of this offseason’s top inside linebackers. On Wednesday, Chicago reached agreement on a four-year, $24.5MM deal with former Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan.

Talks between Freeman and the Colts are at a “stand still,” Hagan adds. Last night we heard that the two sides are not close on a new contract. One report indicated that the Colts’ offer for the inside linebacker could be a take-it-or-leave-it proposition. Freeman finished last season as Pro Football Focus’ No. 4-ranked linebacker and as PFR’s No. 23-rated UFA resides as one of the best players still on the market.

In 2015, Freeman racked up 112 total tackles with 3 sacks, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 defensive touchdown. The advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus (subscription required) were very high on Freeman’s performance last year, ranking him as the No. 4 linebacker in the NFL and the top linebacker amongst this year’s unrestricted free agents. PFF’s gave Freeman a 97.9 grade for run defense, giving him the highest mark in that category for any linebacker in 2015. Freeman’s only unimpressive grade came in coverage where he was given a score of 78.8.

The Chiefs have also “poked around” on Freeman this week.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Rams, Browns Not Interested In Ryan Fitzpatrick

March 11th, 2016 at 8:59am CST by Zachary Links

On Thursday, the Broncos reached out to Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s representation to express their interest in the veteran quarterback. However, other quarterback-needy teams are not as high on the veteran signal caller. The Browns are not interested in Fitzpatrick and the Rams don’t want to spend significant money to sign him, according to sources who spoke with Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.

Mehta suggests that the Browns are disinterested in Fitzpatrick because they already have a veteran signal caller in Josh McCown. The Browns are expected by many to draft a quarterback at No. 2 overall while potentially using McCown as a transitional option. It sounds as though the Rams may have some interest in Fitzpatrick, but if they do, it’s likely only as a failsafe. If the Rams aren’t willing to spend significant money on the Harvard product, then they’re unlikely to vault beat out the Jets for his services.

Fitzpatrick is said to be seeking an average annual payout close to what Brock Osweiler and Sam Bradford have netted this offseason. The Jets, at this point, are unwilling to pay something in the neighborhood of $16MM/year, having offered something only a little better than what Chase Daniel got from the Eagles. Daniel and the Eagles agreed to a three-year deal with a base value of $21MM on Wednesday.

The Browns have been tied to Colin Kaepernick this week and they are said to be more interested in him than the Jets are. Meanwhile, the polarizing sixth-year passer is reportedly the Broncos’ top quarterback target. Robert Griffin III would reportedly like to be under center for the Rams, but it’s not clear if Los Angeles is reciprocating that interest.

At age 33, Fitzpatrick is coming off of a career year. In 2015, Fitzpatrick started all 16 games for the Jets, setting new career highs by tossing 31 touchdowns and racking up 3,905 yards through the air. He led the team to a 10-6 record for the season, narrowly missing a playoff berth.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.