2016 December - Pro Football Rumors

Month: November 2024

DeMarcus Ware To Return For 2017 Season

December 31st, 2016 at 3:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

DeMarcus Ware‘s IR trip, impending UFA status and back surgery stirred talk about this season being the pass-rusher’s last in the NFL. The 34-year-old edge player put that to rest on New Year’s Eve.

The 12th-year veteran said, via Twitter, he plans to return for a 13th NFL campaign next season after undergoing a successful surgery. Ware previously expressed interest about coming back for another season and hoped to do so in Denver, but it’s far from certain the Broncos will provide him that opportunity.

Ware agreed to take a pay cut this season, slashing his ’16 salary from $10MM to $6.5MM, and played in a career-low 10 games due to a fractured forearm. The defending Super Bowl champions’ right outside linebacker transitioned into more of a situational role this season, with Shane Ray‘s workload increasing opposite Von Miller.

Both Ray and Shaquil Barrett figure to play big roles for Denver in 2017, and the Broncos are more likely to seek upgrades offensively this offseason. Their defense still ranks No. 1 in DVOA despite the team being eliminated from postseason contention for the first time since 2010.

The four-time first-team All-Pro will turn 35 next summer but has still shown an ability to pressure quarterbacks. Although he registered a career-low four sacks this season, Ware recorded 3.5 in the 2015 playoffs and played a major role in the Broncos holding off the Patriots in the AFC title game and stifling the Panthers’ offense in Super Bowl 50.

Denver stands to possess more than $29MM in cap space come 2017 but has greater needs on its offensive line and interior defensive line. While younger options like Melvin Ingram, Jason Pierre-Paul, Chandler Jones and Mario Addison will headline the free agent crop of pass-rushers, older talents like Ware, Julius Peppers, Dwight Freeney and James Harrison are going to be unattached soon.

Florida State’s Dalvin Cook To Enter Draft

December 31st, 2016 at 2:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

Forgoing his senior season with Florida State, Dalvin Cook will join Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey in the 2017 NFL draft, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com relays (Twitter link).

The move is not exactly unexpected given Cook’s production with the Seminoles since 2014, and it officially introduces another top-flight skill-position talent into the prospect pool.

ESPN.com’s Todd McShay has the 5-foot-11, 213-pound Cook ranked as the No. 7 overall prospect (Insider link) among draft-eligible players — six slots behind Fournette and 22 ahead of McCaffrey. CBSSports.com also has Cook slotted seventh in the 2017 pool, but in placing Fournette ninth, the site has Cook as its top running back.

Cook posted his second straight 20-touchdown season in 2016, rushing for 19 scores in both his sophomore and junior slates. He totaled 2,253 yards from scrimmage this season and will enter the league in time for his age-22 season. The three-year Florida State contributor will turn 22 in August.

Coaching Notes: Panthers, Bears, 49ers, Jets

December 31st, 2016 at 12:41pm CST by Ben Levine

After going 15-1 and losing the Super Bowl last season, the Panthers have taken a huge step back in 2016. The team enters the final week of the season with a 6-9 record, and both the offense and the defense rank towards the bottom half of the league in several team stats.

Despite the struggles, coach Ron Rivera indicated that he isn’t anticipating any changes to his coaching staff…as long as it’s his decision.

“Remember, it’s the same group that was 15-1, same group that led the league in scoring,” Rivera told Bill Voth of Black and Blue Review. “And in the last five years, we’ve had a top-10 defense. So as I look it and break things down, yeah, there’s some things that we have to work on and change. You guys heard me talk about evolving. We have to.”

As Darin Gantt of ProFootballTalk.com points out, Rivera hasn’t stuck to similar promises in the past. For instance, the team relieved special teams coach Richard Rodgers of his duties following the 2014 campaign. Gantt believes that offensive coordinator Mike Shula and quarterbacks coach Ken Dorsey could find themselves on the hot seat.

Let’s take a look at some other coaching notes from around the NFL…

Things haven’t gone as planned during John Fox‘s second season with the Bears. The team is looking to avoid their worst 16-game record in franchise history, and blame will naturally lie on the head coach. Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune writes that chairman George McCaskey will likely wait until the end of the season to make any decisions on his coaching staff’s fate. Campbell notes that the organization waited until the 2014 offseason to fire general manager Phil Emery and coach Marc Trestman.
Eric Branch of SFGate.com wonders if head coach Chip Kelly‘s unwillingness to adjust his fast-paced gameplan could ultimately lead to his demise with the 49ers. As the writer notes, the coach wasn’t necessarily put in a position to succeed with a lack of talent on the roster. However, Campbell believes the coach’s devotion to his gameplan could come up during offseason discussions with CEO Jed York and a new general manager (assuming Trent Baalke is fired). For what it’s worth, Kelly hasn’t indicated that he’s willing to change his ways. “I think we always look at everything on a weekly basis trying to see how we can improve,” Kelly said following his team’s overtime loss to the Jets in early December. “You look at the game yesterday: It’s about making one more play than the other team. It’s not like we’re getting taken to the woodshed and don’t have an opportunity to compete and play.”
Jets head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan are expected to receive a “mulligan” from owner Woody Johnson for the team’s subpar performance this season, writes ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini. The writer acknowledges that it’s been a tough year for the organization, but he also notes that it’d be a knee-jerk reaction to fire the tandem after only two seasons.

Buccaneers, Bryan Anger Agree To Extension

December 31st, 2016 at 11:11am CST by Ben Levine

Bryan Anger will be staying in Tampa Bay for the foreseeable future. Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports (via Twitter) that the punter has signed a five-year, $17MM extension with the organization. The extension will presumably keep Anger under contract through the 2021 season. The veteran’s $3.4MM average annual salary ranks in the top-5 among NFL punters (via Stroud).

“We brought Bryan here this past offseason believing he had the ability to be one of the best punters in the NFL and he performed as such in 2016,” said general manager Jason Licht (via the team’s website). “We are always happy to reward our own players and thrilled to be able to keep Bryan with the Buccaneers for years to come.”

Anger joined the Buccaneers this offseason after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Jaguars. A third-round pick in 2012 (Anger was selected ahead of players like Russell Wilson and T.Y. Hilton), the special-teamer averaged 46.8 yards per punt during his tenure in Jacksonville. Despite the relative success, the Jaguars ultimately decided to move on from Anger and sign punter Brad Nortman.

Despite the presence of punter Jake Schum, the Buccaneers decided to add Anger on a one-year contract. The veteran punter also received interest from the Panthers while he was a free agent.

This decision certainly benefitted the Bucs, as Anger is having one of the best seasons of his career. Despite “only” averaging 45.9 yards per punt, the 28-year-old has established career-bests in net average punt (42.4), punts inside the 20 (32), returns (23), and return yards (128). Anger is on track to set several franchise records, and he earned a role as a Pro Bowl alternate for his performance.

Bengals Place A.J. Green On IR

December 31st, 2016 at 10:36am CST by Ben Levine

A.J. Green‘s season is officially over. Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports (via Twitter) that the star wideout has been placed on the injured reserve. The team has promoted offensive lineman Trey Hopkins from the practice squad to take Green’s roster spot.

It appeared that Green was going to make his return from a hamstring injury last weekend, but the organization abruptly announced that the wideout would miss the contest. This caused a bit of drama in the locker room, as Green and his teammates were preparing for the receiver to take the field for the first time since mid-November. Reports indicated that ownership made the decision to keep Green out of the game in an attempt to prevent any further injury.

Despite the fact that the “rug got pulled out from under” the squad, Green denied reports that he was unhappy with the organization. Still, the wideout wasn’t spotted at the Bengals facility this week. ESPN.com’s Bob Holtzman reported that it’s “rare” for an injured player to be absent for so long.

Green finished the 2016 season with 66 receptions for 964 yards and four touchdowns. It was the first time in the 28-year-old’s six-year career that he didn’t finish with at least 1,000 receiving yards. Despite the career-low numbers, Green was still selected as a Pro Bowler for the sixth time.

Hopkins joined the Bengals as an undrafted free agent out of Texas in 2014. The 24-year-old offensive guard was active for the Bengals Week 1 matchup against the Jets, but he didn’t end up taking the field. Hopkins could make his NFL debut this weekend.

Broncos Notes: Kubiak, Okung, Quarterbacks

December 31st, 2016 at 8:53am CST by Ben Levine

The Broncos could look a bit different in 2017, and those changes could start with the coaching staff. Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post writes that both head coach Gary Kubiak and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will have to decide whether they want to return to Denver for next season.

Kubiak’s health could play a significant role in any decision. The head coach was hospitalized earlier this season with a “complex migrane,” and he previously collapsed during a 2013 contest with the Texans. Naturally, the 55-year-old claims that he isn’t focused on the future.

“I love this league. I love the Broncos. I love this work. I’m all in on the Raiders right now,” Kubiak said. “There will be time for reflection and all of that stuff next week.”

Meanwhile, Phillips’ two-year contract is set to expire following this season. The 69-year-old has been responsible for Denver’s stifling defense, but the coach could decide to hang it up after having coached 39 years in the NFL.

“We think the world of Wade,” Kubiak said. “Everybody knows the job that Wade has done. (Contracts) are things that will be addressed after we get through this week. But Wade’s a tremendous person and a tremendous football coach.”

Let’s take a look at some other notes out of the Mile High City…

The Broncos offensive line has struggled this season, and Wolfe writes that the organization will have to choose whether they want to “cut the cord” on Russell Okung and/or Donald Stephenson. The team has until the first day of the league year (March 9th) to pick up a $1MM option on Okung’s contract – which would then trigger a unique four-year, $48MM extension ($19.5MM guaranteed). “It’s not on me. We’ll get to that hurdle when we get there,” said Okung. “For now, we still have to play Oakland.”
Meanwhile, the Broncos could save about $3MM in cap space if they release Stephenson. The veteran has struggled in 2016, making only 12 starts. As Wolfe writes, the lineman has been responsible for three sacks and 11 penalties. “I work my butt off,” said Stephenson. “The problems definitely aren’t from not trying. I’m giving it all I got. There’s some things I’ve got to get better at.”
Besides fixing the offensive line, NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling believes the Broncos should prioritize fixing their run defense and solidifying the quarterback position. The organization could choose between Trevor Siemian or Paxton Lynch as their future signal-caller, or Wesseling suggests the team could make a move for Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

Extra Points: Revis, Jets, Bills, Vikes, Panthers

December 30th, 2016 at 9:02pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Cornerback Darrelle Revis wants to retire a Jet, he told Brian Costello of the New York Post, but it’s possible the team will release the declining defender in the offseason. Regarding that notion, the 10th-year man offered, “My thing would be this: Do the New York Jets want to treat my situation with class or no class? With me being one of the best players in the history of this franchise, do they want me to retire here or not retire here?”

Revis sees himself as “one of the best cornerbacks to ever play this game,” but he realizes he’s “losing a step.” Thus, the soon-to-be 32-year-old is seemingly open to taking a pay cut to remain with the Jets. “You have to understand what the next step is, what the next chapter is for you, and I understand that,” he said. “You feel where you’re at in your career, you talk to the guys upstairs and see what’s going to best help me and best help the team moving forward.”

Revis is set to rake in a $13MM salary and count upward of $15.333MM against the cap next season, and the Jets surely view those as unpalatable figures. If the two sides do renegotiate Revis’ contract prior to next season, he’ll represent himself.

Jamie Collins Open To Re-Signing With Browns

December 30th, 2016 at 7:18pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Linebacker Jamie Collins‘ stint with the Browns will go down as a rather short-lived one if the in-season trade acquisition departs Cleveland as a free agent during the offseason. Collins did plenty of winning with his previous team, the Patriots, and is now part of the NFL’s worst club, but he’s nonetheless open to re-signing with the Browns.

“(Losing is a deterrent) but at the same time, money comes into play around that time,” Collins told reporters, including Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, on Friday. “If the money is right then I could stay here. Obviously I’m not going to turn it down.”

Collins then added that he’s “real close” with his Browns teammates, which could help the franchise’s cause if it makes an earnest attempt to re-sign him. There haven’t been any indications that the Browns and Collins have engaged in contract talks since they traded either a compensatory third-round pick in 2017 or a fourth-rounder in 2018 to New England for him on Halloween. The deal came as a shock to NFL observers, but Collins’ production hasn’t really slowed down in its wake.

Since landing in Cleveland, Collins has amassed 43 tackles, two interceptions, a sack and a forced fumble in seven games. He ranks as Pro Football Focus’ 36th-best edge defender among 110 qualifiers this year, which is more good than great, but the 27-year-old still has a reputation as one of the league’s premier linebackers. During his five-year career, Collins has totaled 12.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and five picks, and is reportedly hoping to turn his impressive output into a deal worth more per year than the $12.36MM star Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly makes. Whatever the cost, head coach Hue Jackson is hoping Collins re-signs with the Browns.

“I just let him to know that we really want him here and try to have him see the vision of what we’re trying to create,” Jackson told Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan of SiriusXM NFL Radio. “And show him where he’s going to be a huge piece of that. And hopefully ask him to stay here in Cleveland.”

Jackson’s hopes could rest on whether the Browns are able to re-sign their other priority free agent, wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, before the franchise tag deadline in March. If the Browns don’t lock up either Pryor or Collins by then, they might have to decide on which of the pair will hit the open market. Tagging Collins would cost less than Pryor (an estimated $14.754MM versus $15.826MM), but there have been rumblings that Cleveland could simply elect to let the defender walk and receive a 2018 compensatory third-rounder for its trouble. That would essentially offset the move to acquire Collins in the first place.

Cardinals’ Chandler Jones: “I Love It Here”

December 30th, 2016 at 6:22pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Cardinals entered the 2016 season as Super Bowl contenders and will end it as massive disappointments, having stumbled to a 6-8-1 mark with one game remaining. But Arizona’s struggles haven’t been the fault of pass rusher Chandler Jones, whom the team acquired from the Patriots last March in exchange for a second-round pick and now-unemployed guard Jonathan Cooper.

Jones has started in each of his 15 appearances this season and piled up 47 tackles, 21 quarterback hurries, 9.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. As a result, he ranks 10th in overall performance among Pro Football Focus’ 110 qualifying edge defenders. Now Jones, who has amassed 45.5 sacks in his five-year career, could be on the cusp of playing his final game with the Cardinals. Although the soon-to-be 27-year-old is an impending free agent, he’d like to stay in Arizona.

“I love it here in Arizona – the coaches, the people, the whole atmosphere,” Jones told Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. “I love the vibe that people give off and I can see myself being here for a long time.”

The admiration is seemingly mutual, as general manager Steve Keim referred to Jones as “something we have not had here in years” in October. Back then, the Cardinals and Jones had reportedly been discussing a contract extension since training camp, though it’s unclear if those negotiations have continued.

It’s fair to suggest that retaining Jones over the long haul could cost Arizona similar money to what the Giants gave fellow pass rusher Olivier Vernon in free agency last winter. Vernon parlayed 29 sacks in four seasons with the Dolphins into a five-year, $85MM pact with $52MM in guarantees. Jones is aware of that deal, he told Weinfuss, but the Cardinals could place the franchise tag on him before the March deadline if they’re uncomfortable handing out a Vernon-esque contract. Jones is listed as a linebacker, a position that will carry a projected salary of $14.754MM via the tag in 2017, but the 6-foot-5, 265-pounder could argue that he’s a defensive end in order to secure a richer payday ($16.955MM).

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/30/16

December 30th, 2016 at 5:43pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Bengals have placed offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi on injured reserve and promoted running back Tra Carson from the practice squad to take his roster spot, per Geoff Hobson of the team’s website. Ogbuehi has a partial tear of his right rotator cuff, but it’s unlikely to prevent him from participating in the Bengals’ offseason activities. Nevertheless, it ends an injury-marred year for the 2015 first-round pick, who has also dealt with a sports hernia and a toe ailment in 2016. Ogbuehi did start in 12 of 14 appearances after only serving as a reserve last year, but the Bengals demoted him from right tackle to the bench in Week 13 before moving him to left tackle last Saturday. He’ll end 2016 ranked just 65th in overall performance among Pro Football Focus’ 74 qualifying tackles.

The Eagles have promoted running back Terrell Watson from the practice squad, reports ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter). The former Azusa Pacific standout joined the organization in late December after having spent time with the Browns and Broncos. The 23-year-old is expected to see some work in short-yardage situations this weekend.
The Ravens have claimed wide receiver Vince Mayle off waivers from the Cowboys and placed linebacker Zach Orr on injured reserve, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com was among those to report. Mayle hasn’t been a factor as a wideout, having gone parts of two NFL seasons without a catch, but did get 94 special teams snaps in Dallas this season before it cut him Thursday. Orr, meanwhile, had already been declared out for the Ravens’ season finale against Cincinnati because of a neck issue. He piled up 132 tackles (47 more than any other Raven) and three interceptions this season.
The Cowboys have promoted offensive lineman Ryan Seymour from the practice squad, reports Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (via Twitter). The former seventh-round pick last made an NFL appearance in 2014, when he played 11 games (three starts) for the Browns.
The Chiefs have activated linebacker Justin March-Lillard off IR and waived defensive lineman David King, per Adam Teicher of ESPN.com. Kansas City designated March-Lillard to return Dec. 21, which came at running back Jamaal Charles‘ expense. Before March-Lillard broke his hand in October, he started in all five appearances and amassed 22 tackles. King picked up three appearances with the Chiefs (two this year, one last season), but he didn’t record a tackle.

Ben Levine contributed to this post.

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