2016 June - Pro Football Rumors

AFC East Notes: Fitz, Gronk, Gilmore, Darby

June 13th, 2016 at 8:31pm CST by Dallas Robinson

There still isn’t movement on a potential deal between the Jets and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, and it doesn’t seem like things will change heading into minicamp, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Talks could be at a stalemate given that New York reportedly isn’t comfortable offering Fitzpatrick a one-year deal worth $12MM, while Fitzpatrick himself is content to wait out the club in the hopes of landing a better deal. Still, it’s hard to buy that Gang Green will be comfortable entering the season with Geno Smith as their starter, and with so few clubs around the NFL looking for quarterback help, the Jets seem like the best option for Fitzpatrick at this point in the offseason.

Here’s more from the AFC East…

Rob Gronkowski was present at the Patriots‘ workout today after not attending last week’s sessions, tweets Rapoport. According to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, New England was simply being cautious by holding Gronk out of last week’s workout, as the tight end is dealing with an undisclosed injury (but one that doesn’t figure to be a long-term ailment).
Though no extension between the Bills and Stephon Gilmore is on the verge of being signed, the star cornerback is expected to report to minicamp this week, news that Rapoport confirms (via Twitter). Gilmore himself tweeted that he’s only attending camp to prevent being fined, and Rapoport says that Gilmore’s presence probably won’t do much to help contract talks along.
Fellow Bills cornerback Ronald Darby can’t be extended for two more years, but he’s aware of how much defensive back salaries are rising, writes Vic Carrucci of the Buffalo News. The Bills, in some respects, think Darby is a better player than Gilmore, which could be one reason they’re reluctant to extend Gilmore. With a Darby deal to worry about down the road, signing Gilmore now might not be the right call.
The Bills are working out former Maryland offensive lineman Andrew Zeller, reports Josh Reed of WIVB (Twitter link). Zeller, who made 12 starts at guard for the Terrapins last season, was signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent, but was waived last week.
The Bills agreed to terms with former Rex Ryan pupil, signing ex-Jets defensive end Leger Douzable to a contract earlier today. Douzable, 30, will work as a five-technique in Buffalo’s 3-4 scheme.

NFC West Notes: Rams, Baldwin, Driskel, 49ers

June 13th, 2016 at 8:04pm CST by Zachary Links

While the Rams could still be in the market for a veteran safety, the club likes what it’s seen from defensive backs Maurice Alexander, Cody Davis, and Christian Bryant, according to Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News (Twitter link). LA has been on the lookout for secondary help since losing safety Rodney McLeod during free agency, and the team has met with Donte Whitner and Dashon Goldson over the past several months. Both safeties reportedly remain “in play” for the Rams, but for now, it sounds as though the team is happy where they are.

Here’s more out of the NFC West…

Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin says his contract situation “will take care of itself,” as Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times writes. Baldwin is entering the final season of a three-year deal he inked prior to the 2014 season. Now, after tying for the NFL lead with 14 receiving touchdowns in 2015, Baldwin could be in line for $10MM/year or more. Baldwin should be helped by the four-year, $40MM extension the Jaguars recently gave to Allen Hurns, though Hurns is three years younger than the Seattles standout.
The 49ers are high on rookie quarterback Jeff Driskel, as Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes. “I think he’s done a really nice job,” 49ers coach Chip Kelly said. “He’s really intelligent. (He) picked things up conceptually very quickly. (He) was exposed to a couple of systems because he was at Florida and then Louisiana Tech. I think he’s already been exposed to multiple systems at the college level, so we’ve been impressed with him. He’s very athletic. I think he was the fastest quarterback at the combine. He’s big. He’s got a good arm.” Driskel, a sixth-round pick out of Louisiana Tech, could get involved in special teams packages and give San Francisco some trick play options. Driskel currently sits as the team’s No. 4 QB behind Blaine Gabbert, Colin Kaepernick, and Thaddeus Lewis. It’s conceivable that Driskel could leapfrog Lewis to become the team’s No. 3 signal caller, or he could become the club’s No. 3 signal-caller if Kaepernick is traded or released.
Jermaine Gresham apparently had more lucrative offers from other clubs — such as the Bears and Jets — but he chose to take less money to remain with the Cardinals.
Yesterday, we learned that the Cardinals are unlikely to reach an extension with defensive back Tyrann Mathieu before the start of training camp.

Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.

Jermaine Gresham Took Less To Re-Sign With Cards?

June 13th, 2016 at 7:16pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Jermaine Gresham could have earned more money on the free agent market this spring, but the veteran tight end preferred to re-sign with the Cardinals in order to contend for a Super Bowl, as he explains to Bob McManaman of AZCentral.com. Per Gresham, the Jets, Bears, and a third unnamed club all expressed interest in him earlier this year, and he was apparently offered a four-year, $23MM deal that contained $12MM guaranteed.

“[M]y agent tried talking me out of it,” said Gresham. “But I think he felt that my happiness is more important. He saw my vision and he sid[ed] with me all the way to the end… I feel like I didn’t necessarily put my best foot forward last year and, hopefully, I’ll be able to significantly improve upon that and, hopefully, help make things even better than it was last year.”

Obviously, we can’t know the exact structure of any other deals that were apparently offered to Gresham, but if he was actually presented with $12MM guaranteed, it’s hard to imagine that re-signed with Arizona, who committed just $3MM in guaranteed money. Gresham, 28 this week, wasn’t especially effective in 2015, catching just 18 passes for 223 yards — while he graded out as an excellent run-blocker, he was overmatched in the passing game, according to Pro Football Focus.

All of which is to say that Gresham probably should have cashed out while he had the chance, as the proposed deal mentioned would have been one of the best contracts signed by a tight end this offseason. Only Coby Fleener, who signed a five-year pact with the Saints, would have come out ahead in either annual average value of guarantees.

Chicago was clearly interested in securing another tight end, as in addition to this reported wooing of Gresham, the club signed the Saints’ Josh Hill to a restricted free agent offer sheet, which New Orleans ultimately matched, and re-signed veteran Zach Miller. New York, on the other hand, did hardly anything at the tight end position this offseason, opting to simply re-sign journeyman Kellen Davis.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Michael Vick Wants To Play In 2016

June 13th, 2016 at 6:20pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Michael Vick didn’t play much in 2015, attempting just 66 passes in relief of Ben Roethlisberger, but the veteran quarterback isn’t ready to retire just yet. As Vick explained to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com, Vick believes he has one more season left in him.

“I haven’t officially retired,” Vick said. “As of right now, it’s pretty much at a stalemate type of thing. Just taking the days as it comes, but most importantly for me, I just have to continue to work out and train. I would love to play this year, suit up for another run at it. I still feel like I could play and there is a lot left in the tank.

“It does matter getting the right offer. I don’t think at this stage you just jump right out there and then just take any opportunity even though if this is going to be my last year, which is what I feel like I’m leaning toward because of where I’m at in my life, I do want to suit up one more time, I do want to put the helmet on one more time. I don’t want it to end the way it ended the last couple years.”

Vick, who will turn 36 later this month, has expressed his desire to play one final year before, and told Josina Anderson of ESPN.com that he wouldn’t extend his career past 2016 — in other words, if no clubs come calling this year, he’ll retire. Whether any teams show interest is an open question, as Vick hasn’t posted above-average results since 2010. The Steelers are thought to have moved on, and at this point, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Vick has to wait until a club suffers a quarterback injury during camp before he lands a deal.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/13/16

June 13th, 2016 at 5:24pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Cornerbacks Isaiah Frey and Dax Swanson signed with the Cowboys, as Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. Both players tried out for Dallas last week and apparently made a good impression.
The Bills have signed offensive lineman Chris Martin to a one-year contract, according to agent Brett Tessler (Twitter link). Martin, 26, has been a member of seven NFL teams and spent time on the Bills’ practice squad last season.
After being waived by the Cowboys, cornerback Terrance Mitchell will latch on with the other NFL club in Texas, as the Texans have claimed him off waivers, reports Mark Berman of FOX26 (Twitter link).
The Lions waived wide receiver Austin Willis and signed defensive back Keith Lewis today, as Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press tweets.
The Chargers cut safety Matt Daniels from injured reserve, per Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). the two sides presumably reached an injury settlement.
The Chiefs have signed former Akron defensive back Bryce Cheek (Akron) while the Rams have inked former San Diego State long snapper Jeff Overbaugh (San Diego State), Howard Balzer of USA Today Sports tweets.
Tight end Michael Williams (Patriots), cornerback Brandon McGee (Cowboys), and receiver Corey Washington (Lions) all reverted to injured reserve after clearing waivers, according to Balzer (Twitter link).

Ben Grubbs To Retire

June 13th, 2016 at 4:15pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Pro Bowl guard Ben Grubbs is likely going to retire this offseason, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Grubbs, who was with the Chiefs in 2015, has been plagued by a neck injury that ended his season last year and will probably end his career.

Grubbs was released by KC a failed physical designation around the start of this year’s free agency. The veteran’s contract, which he reworked upon his arrival in Kansas City, ran through the 2018 season and included $6.6MM in guaranteed money. The Chiefs were left with a sizable portion of dead money on their 2016 cap by cutting Grubbs, but they obviously felt that the move was necessary. By cutting the 32-year-old, the Chiefs agreed to be on the hook for $5.2MM in dead money while saving only $1.1MM against the cap.

Grubbs entered the league as a first-round draft choice of the Ravens in 2007. Since then, Grubbs has been something of an ironman, appearing in all 16 regular season games of every NFL season with the exception of 2011 (ten games) and 2015 (seven games). Grubbs earned Pro Bowl nods in 2011 with the Ravens and again in 2013. Despite his down year, we recently rated Grubbs as one of the 20 best offensive free agents still on the board based on his successful history.

We here at Pro Football Rumors wish Grubbs nothing but the best in retirement.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Nate Robinson Trying Out For Seahawks

June 13th, 2016 at 3:52pm CST by Zachary Links

3:52pm: The Seahawks aren’t signing Robinson today, but they’ll keep his number handy for down the road, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

2:35pm: It appears that former NBA player Nate Robinson is making a run at playing in the NFL. The diminutive point guard is now packaging himself as a defensive back as he tries out for the Seahawks today, sources tell Master Tesfatsion and Mark Maske of The Washington Post.

Robinson originally went to the University of Washington on a football scholarship and made a name for himself on the gridiron with his electrifying plays, but it has been many years since he tried his hand at football. In a YouTube video released in March, the 32-year-old first announced his NFL aspirations and spoke about playing both offense and defense. However, the early word is that Robinson is looking to play on defense.

Strangely, Robinson signed a deal with an Israeli basketball team just days after saying that he would pursue football. As teams tinker with 90-man rosters, however, Robinson is shifting his focus back to the gridiron once again. It would make for a great story if Robinson is able to land a deal from the Seahawks, particularly since he is a Seattle native.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Bills Sign Leger Douzable, Chris Martin

June 13th, 2016 at 3:40pm CST by Zachary Links

3:40pm: The Bills announced that they have signed Douzable along with tackle Chris Martin. Martin spent some time on the Bills’ taxi squad in 2015 and other practice squads. To make room, defensive end Claudell Louis and tackle Keith Lumpkin have been let go.

8;37am: Former Jets defensive lineman Leger Douzable is visiting the Bills today, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Douzable, of course, has history with current Bills coach Rex Ryan after playing for him in 2013 and 2014.

As Joe Buscaglia of WKBW notes (on Twitter), Douzable would be a five-technique defensive end in Ryan’s scheme. Douzable, 30, has inked one-year deals with the Jets in each of the last three offseasons. This time around, coach Todd Bowles & Co. apparently decided to go in a different direction at bookend. We haven’t heard much in the way of Jets interest in Douzable this offseason – or much about any other team’s interest in him.

In 322 defensive snaps as a part-time contributor in 2014, the Central Florida product recorded 25 tackles and 2.5 sacks. In 2015, Douzable saw only 207 snaps and recorded a total of 14 tackles. The advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked Douzable as the No. 89 edge defender in the NFL last season out of 110 qualified players.

If Douzable signs with the Bills, he could work in support of defensive ends Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams, Corbin Bryant, and Adolphus Washington. To earn a spot, however, he’ll probably have to supplant Jerel Worthy and/or Lavar Edwards.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Latest On Breshad Perriman

June 13th, 2016 at 12:31pm CST by Zachary Links

An evaluation by Dr. James Andrews has revealed that Ravens wide receiver Breshad Perriman may not have significant ACL tear, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter links). Perriman will undergo arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday to determine if reconstruction surgery is necessary and Schefter hears there is “absolutely” a chance that he could return for the 2016 season. More will be known about his timetable for recovery after tomorrow’s procedure.

We recently heard the wideout was working his way back to 100% from his lingering PCL issue. Now, Perriman is facing yet another setback that could potentially push his NFL debut to 2017. Perriman impressed at the combine with his speed as he ran a 4.26 second 40-yard dash. Evaluators last year believed that Perriman’s NFL future was bright and that could still be the case, but another lost season would certainly put his prospects in flux.

As for the Ravens, Steve Smith backtracked on his retirement intentions following his own season-ending injury last year, and Kamar Aiken represented a pleasant surprise for the team. The Ravens signed Mike Wallace as well, so for 2016, they’re less exposed at the position than they were when Perriman’s rookie season vanished due to knee troubles.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Stephen Tulloch Excused From Lions Camp

June 13th, 2016 at 11:11am CST by Zachary Links

Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch was excused from mandatory minicamp, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). His impending release should come in the next few weeks, Rapoport adds.

[RELATED: Lions Sign Andre Roberts]

Back in February, the Lions reportedly informed the veteran that he would be cut loose this offseason. However, for the last few months, he has been in a strange limbo with the team. The Lions have repeatedly declined to comment on Tulloch’s status even though the football world has been anticipating his release.

“What a journey it’s been Detroit!,” Tulloch wrote on Instagram roughly four months ago. “Five years of some of the greatest memories of my career. I can’t put into words how grateful I am to have played for such a great organization. I want thank the Ford family, the front office, the strength coaches, trainers, equipment staff, and everybody in between for everything you have done for me over the years. Last but not least I want to thank the community of Detroit for being behind me and my foundation over the years in making a difference in many lives. Such as life there is constant change. But change that I’m looking forward to. As one chapter closes in my career another one opens up.”

Tulloch, 31, has spent the last five years with the Lions. He has played in all 16 regular games of each season except for in 2014. In a September contest against the Packers, Tulloch tore his ACL while celebrating a sack, ending his season prematurely. In 2015, he restored his ironman cred by playing in 16 games, racking up 108 total tackles, 1 sack, and 2 fumble recoveries.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.