2016 August - Pro Football Rumors

Month: November 2024

CFL Open To Johnny Manziel

August 25th, 2016 at 11:55am CST by Zachary Links

Could we see Johnny Manziel in the CFL? It’s not clear whether the former Browns quarterback is interested in making his comeback north of the border, but if he is, the CFL commissioner says he won’t necessarily stand in the way, as Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com writes.

“I rely primarily on the assessment of the team,” CFL commissioner Jeffrey Orridge said. “It is their charge to evaluate the talent and to bring that talent forward. To be candid, if there is a situation that we believe warrants additional input, we certainly want to provide that to the team. We’re obviously charged with making sure that the integrity of the league and the integrity of our brand is perpetuated.”

The CFL commissioner has the power to intervene in any signing and Orridge has exercised that power in the past. Earlier this summer, he reportedly blocked the Saskatchewan Roughriders from signing Greg Hardy, though a CFL spokesperson denied that in a statement.

Manziel is on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ negotiation list, meaning that the franchise has the first opportunity to sign him before any other CFL team if he shows interest in playing there. Reportedly, Manziel is working on cleaning up his off-the-field life before resuming focus on the NFL, but the CFL could be a wise pit stop to show teams that he can be a worthwhile addition.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Steelers’ Marcus Gilbert Restructures Deal

August 25th, 2016 at 10:20am CST by Zachary Links

Steelers right tackle Marcus Gilbert has restructured his contract to help give the team additional cap room. Gilbert’s salary for 2016 will dip from $3.95MM to $760K, as ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. Gilbert will likely get the leftover money in an alternate form, such as a signing bonus conversion.

Gilbert’s concession actually marks the second time he has restructured his deal to help the team. Gilbert agreed to adjust his deal in February of 2015 shortly after inking his five-year, $30MM contract extension in August of 2014.

Last year, Gilbert was ranked as the 28th best offensive tackle in the NFL out of 77 qualified players, according to the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus. The 6’6″, 329 pound lineman started in all 16 regular season games for Pittsburgh.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

The Beat: Ryan O’Halloran On The Jaguars

August 25th, 2016 at 10:08am CST by Zachary Links

With the season fast approaching, we’re chatting with beat writers from around the league to gain insight on each team’s offseason and how those moves will impact the season ahead.

Now, we continue the series by discussing the Jaguars with Ryan O’Halloran of the The Florida Times-Union. You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ryanohalloran and check out his stories here.

Zach Links: Right now, the Jaguars don’t sound intent on signing Greg Hardy, even though they auditioned him earlier this summer. Do you sense that a change of heart is possible? Or have the Jaguars concluded that Hardy is not worth all of the baggage that comes with signing him?

Ryan O’Halloran: The only way a change of heart is possible is if the Jaguars are equal parts beset by injuries or ineffectiveness at the defensive end spot early in the year. If they were afraid of his baggage, they wouldn’t have brought Hardy in for a visit. This way, they’ve met him, heard his side of things and worked him out so if they need to call him on a Tuesday to sign him and get to town for practice on a Wednesday, they don’t have to do all of the research.

Zach Links: The Jaguars shelled out lots of money for Malik Jackson, a player who has only one season as a full-time starter on his resume. Will the Jaguars come to regret the six-year, $85.5MM deal ($31.5MM guaranteed) or will he prove to be a difference-maker for years to come?

Ryan O’Halloran: More often than not, these gigantic deals become regrettable down the line. That said, the guess here is Jackson will be a difference-maker early in the contract. Against the Jets in the preseason opener, he showed good power by pushing a guard back and impacting Ryan Fitzpatrick’s throwing motion. The Jaguars needed a three-down interior defensive lineman like Jackson and also needed to overpay to get him.

Zach Links: Tashaun Gipson also got a nice payday courtesy of Jacksonville with his five-year, $36MM deal ($12MM guaranteed). Will he help solve the Jags’ woes at safety after their group was among the league’s worst in 2015?

Ryan O’Halloran: Gipson is the key to the Jaguars’ free agent class. The free safety spot has been unsettled since Dave Caldwell/Gus Bradley were hired in January 2013. Dwight Lowery (2013), Josh Evans (2013-15), Winston Guy (2014) and Sergio Brown (2015) have all started there and been unimpressive. Enter Gipson. If he can be the sideline-to-sideline free safety, it will allow the Jaguars’ cornerbacks to play tighter man coverage and allow strong safety Johnathan Cyprien to play closer to the line of scrimmage and better take advantage of his skills (run support, not coverage).

Zach Links: How good can Jalen Ramsey be in the long run? Who does he remind you of?

Ryan O’Halloran: I haven’t seen enough of him to come up with a comparison. It’s tough to say what Ramsey’s ceiling is because he played three positions in three years for Florida State – free safety, slot corner and outside corner. The Jaguars are asking him to play inside and outside corner.

Zach Links: As the 53-man roster deadline approaches, what roster battles should Jaguars fans be keeping an eye on?

Ryan O’Halloran: For a team that went 5-11, it’s surprising that there aren’t more battles going on, but that speaks to the Jaguars’ activity in free agency and the draft. Here are a couple: Left tackle (Kelvin Beachum or Luke Joeckel). Left guard (Joeckel or Tyler Shatley or Mackenzy Bernadeau or Chris Reed). No. 5 receiver (Bryan Walters or Arrelious Benn).

Zach Links: How do you expect 2016 to go for the Jaguars? What record do you think they’ll finish with?

Ryan O’Halloran: This is the most talented team of the Caldwell-Bradley Era, but that won’t mean a playoff berth. I’ve got them with a 7-9 record.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Texans C Nick Martin Out For Season

August 25th, 2016 at 8:44am CST by Zachary Links

Texans center Nick Martin recently underwent ankle surgery from Dr. Robert Anderson in North Carolina and is expected to miss the 2016 season, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

The injury is a big blow to the Texans who were banking on Martin to start for them in 2016. For now, Toledo product Greg Mancz is slated to take that spot. Mancz spent his rookie season on IR with a knee injury that required surgery. The good news is that the reviews on him so far have been positive.

Recently, in a PFR exclusive, scouting guru Dave-Te Thomas wrote that he was high on Martin and optimistic about what he could do as a rookie:

Martin is a vast upgrade from the Texans’ previous snapper, Ben Jones, who is no longer with the team. He’s already formed a good bond with Brock Osweiler and should join the Colts’ first round pick, Ryan Kelly, as immediate starters at center for their respective teams. Martin’s arrival will see newly signed Jeff Allen slide into the right guard spot vacated by Brandon Brooks. Greg Mancz and Tony Bergstrom were hoping to compete for the pivot spot after Jones left, but both now vie for second unit duties.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Steelers To Pass On Keenan Lewis?

August 25th, 2016 at 8:37am CST by Zachary Links

On Wednesday, Keenan Lewis visited the Steelers and even took a tour through their locker room. Still, it doesn’t sound like we should expect Pittsburgh to sign the veteran cornerback. The Steelers did not like what they saw with regards to Lewis’ hip, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweets. Lewis’ troublesome hip limited him to just six games in 2015.

This week, a former teammate told one reporter that Lewis is still recovering from his hip injury and needs another six weeks before he can play football again. Apparently, Steelers coaches and medical personnel arrived at the same conclusion.

While the Steelers apparently have some reservations about inking Lewis, other clubs may be willing to sign him and give him the necessary time to get back to full health. In addition to the Steelers, the Lions, Jets, Cardinals, and an unidentified NFC South team have expressed interest in Lewis.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Lions Release Stevan Ridley

August 25th, 2016 at 7:58am CST by Zachary Links

The Lions have released running back Stevan Ridley, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets. Ridley had been relegated to second half duty in the first two preseason games, so today’s move doesn’t come as a massive surprise. The Lions will be on the hook for some cash as $250k of his $840k total compensation was fully guaranteed.

Ridley, a five-year veteran, was expected to challenge Zach Zenner for the “big back” role on offense but played just nine snaps in the Lions’ Thursday night preseason game last week. Ridley was also being counted on to provide NFL experience to a group that was lacking it with the Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick at the helm.

A former third-round pick, Ridley averaged 5.1 yards per carry in limited action during his rookie season in 2011, then exploded for 1,263 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in 2012. However, fumbling issues landed him on the bench in New England, and a devastating ACL/MCL injury limited him in both 2014 and 2015.

After spending his first four years in the NFL with the Patriots, Ridley signed with the Jets last season, but didn’t see the field all that much after coming off the PUP list. With Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell handling the majority of the workload out of the backfield, Ridley took over for Zac Stacy as the No. 3 back and earned just 36 carries, totaling only 90 yards for a career-worst 2.5 yards per attempt.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Extra Points: K. Williams, Rambo, Texans, Stork

August 24th, 2016 at 8:59pm CST by Zachary Links

The NFL announced a change to its injury reports, as the “probable” label is no longer in effect, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. As the league explains in its memo, approximately 95% of the players listed as “probable” ended up playing in that week’s games, rendering it essentially irrelevant. No replacement is in store for the “probable” tag, as teams will rely solely on “questionable,” “doubtful,” and “out.”

Latest On Eagles’ Lane Johnson

August 24th, 2016 at 8:47pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Facing a 10-game ban for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson declared last week that he would appeal any suspension. Johnson backed off that statement to a degree Wednesday, according to Martin Frank of The News-Journal, saying that he’ll do “whatever is best for the team.”

The reason Johnson seems less adamant about an appeal is because it could simply delay the inevitable of a suspension. In the event Johnson challenges the league’s decision and plays while awaiting an appeal hearing, it would open him up to miss games later in the season if the punishment is upheld. A suspension beginning in Week 1 would keep Johnson out until Nov. 28, meaning the Eagles could get him back for a playoff push – if they’re still in the race, that is.

Further, Johnson doesn’t expect to win an appeal, conceding, “Even if you prove it (was tainted), there’s nothing you can do.”

Johnson has already admitted to taking the substance that caused the positive test (a league-approved amino acid, the 317-pounder says), so the “B sample” he and the league are awaiting likely won’t bring good news for him.

While Johnson seems resigned to the idea that he’ll have to serve a suspension, he vowed Wednesday to take legal action against the company that he claims provided him with a tainted amino acid.

“Going after them,” said the 26-year-old (via Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com). “I have people on it to get it done.”

Thanks to this incident, Johnson’s done taking supplements.

“Food and water. That’s all I’m going to put in my system,” stated Johnson. “Food and water. No supplements, no powders, nothing.”

Johnson, who previously served a suspension two years ago for using Adderrall without the league’s permission, isn’t in position to take a chance with anything that could potentially lead to another ban. If his current suspension is upheld and he’s hit with a third one down the line, it would bar him from football for two years. And there’s no guarantee a team would want him on the heels of a third suspension.

For the Eagles, having to go without Johnson for most of this year would be a significant blow. Since going fourth overall out of Oklahoma in the 2013 draft, Johnson has started in each of his 44 career appearances, and Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked him 22nd among 77 qualified tackles in overall performance last season. In January, Philadelphia gave Johnson a hefty extension that’s set to run through 2021. Barring an unforeseen development, Allen Barbre is likely to be the Eagles’ Week 1 starter at right tackle, as their depth chart shows.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Chiefs Release Mike Williams, Stevie Brown

August 24th, 2016 at 8:04pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Chiefs have released wide receiver Mike Williams and safety Stevie Brown, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter links).

Kansas City was the third NFL employer for the 29-year-old Williams, who signed with the club in April. He entered the league with the Buccaneers as a fourth-rounder from Syracuse in 2010. After four years in Tampa Bay, which signed him to a long-term deal in 2013 before quickly moving on over off-the-field issues, Williams joined his hometown Bills for a short-lived run in 2014.

Williams, who sat out last season, has accrued 223 receptions and 26 touchdowns in 63 career games (52 starts). The 6-foot-2, 204-pounder racked up 60-plus catches and between 771 and 996 yards in each of his first three seasons, but he has since combined for just 30 receptions.

Brown, like Williams, was out of football in 2015 despite experiencing past success. A seventh-round pick of the Raiders in 2010, Brown posted a career year in 2012 as a member of the Giants, with whom he intercepted eight passes. However, he failed to register a pick in each of his other three seasons – one apiece with the Giants, Raiders and Colts. Brown signed with the Chiefs in early April, and he clearly didn’t do enough during his short stint with the club to merit a roster spot.

Despite the respective departures of Williams and Brown, the Chiefs still have no shortage of wideouts and safeties battling for jobs, as Roster Resource shows.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Latest On Panthers, Kawann Short

August 24th, 2016 at 7:33pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short revealed Wednesday that he and the team aren’t progressing toward a contract extension, telling Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer, “No update as of right now. We’re still taking the time. We still have until the regular season starts, so hopefully we’ll have a decision by then.”

Short does seem optimistic about him and the Panthers reaching a deal, though, despite a report two weeks ago that stated talks between the two sides were “effectively dead.”

“I feel good about it. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. I still have to come out here and play no matter the situation,” said Short.

Whether by the regular season or sometime before free agency next winter, head coach Ron Rivera expects Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman to lock up Short.

“Somewhere along the line they’ll get together and they’ll figure it out,” said Rivera. “He’s too important a player for us, and KK likes where he is. We’ll see how it all unfolds.”

For Rivera’s hope to become a reality, the likelihood is that the Panthers will have to markedly increase their offer. As Jones notes, Carolina would like to re-up Short at roughly $15MM per year. However, considering what fellow standout defensive linemen Fletcher Cox (Eagles) and Muhammad Wilkerson (Jets) signed for earlier this summer, it might take in the $17MM annual range for a Short deal to come to fruition. Cox, Pro Football Focus’ 10th-ranked interior defensive lineman last season, landed a six-year, $103MM extension featuring upward of $55MM in guarantees in June. A month later, Wilkerson – No. 11 on PFF’s list – secured a five-year, $86MM pact with $53.5MM guaranteed for injury.

Short fared similarly to both Cox and Wilkerson in 2015, when he started all of NFC champion Carolina’s games and rated as PFF’s eighth-best interior D-lineman. Along the way, Short led the Panthers’ defense in sacks (11) and forced fumbles (three). That represented a breakout for Short, a 2013 second-round pick from Purdue who combined for nine starts, five sacks and two forced fumbles during his first two seasons.

In the event the Panthers and Short don’t find common ground by next winter, the club would have the option of retaining his rights via the franchise tag. The current cost to tag D-tackles is $13.651MM, which should increase. Nevertheless, something in that neighborhood would be a reasonable sum for Short if he continues serving as a dominant force in the middle of Carolina’s defense.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Load More Posts